ABIOP+

Consideration of biofouling using quantification protocols useful for engineering

Duration: 45 months (2019 - 2022)

Context

Biocolonisation of submerged elements, also known as biofouling, could have a significant impact on mooring lines and dynamic cables. It also leads to a modification of the marine environment in which the structures are deployed, notably via the reef effect. However, biocolonisation is not fully understood, especially if we consider the very dynamic, shallow (< 200 m) and offshore sites, which are characteristic of the areas where offshore renewable energy recovery systems are installed. Biofouling is therefore a crucial parameter to be quantified and qualified in order to be properly taken into account.

Objective

To characterise biofouling qualitatively and quantitatively by site and component through innovative, low-cost, globally applicable protocols based on robust data analysis

Main achievements

  • Detailed characterisation over 30 months of biofouling at 5 offshore renewable energy sites in the Atlantic and Mediterranean
  • Development of a new biofouling characterisation protocol including an adaptation to synthetic mooring lines, and allowing standards to evolve
  • Development of an image analysis method for species group recognition based on deep learning, classification and segmentation
  • Development of a protocol, experimental set-up and numerical model to quantify the thermal resistance of biofouling
  • Selection of an in situ proven biofouling management solution
  • Identification of material biodegradation modes

Conclusion

ABIOP+ has highlighted the high spatial and temporal variability of the communities of organisms making up the biofouling on offshore sites. It also led to the development of high-performance protocols and numerical tools to better take into account the impact of the biocolonisation of submerged components in the design studies of systems and farms. Finally, the project has enabled the identification of an innovative antifouling solution validated for use in static and dynamic conditions.

Resources

ABIOP+ fact sheet (PDF)

Partners and funding

This project was led by the Université de Nantes and France Energies Marines.

Nantes Université logo

universite toulon logo

The total project budget was €2,014K.

This project received funding form France Energies Marines and its members and partners, as well as French State funding managed by the French National Research Agency under the Investments for the Future Programme (ANR-10-IEED-0006-32). It also received financial support from the Pôle Mer Méditerranée and the Brittany, La Réunion, Normandy, Pays de La Loire and SUD Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions. This project also benefited the technical support from the Direction Interrégionale de la Mer Nord Atlantique Manche Ouest.

Photo credit: Thomas Pavy

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