Research & Development

Project

BIODHYL

Biofouling characterization and description of hydrodynamic loadings

Context

The development of offshore renewable energies is leading to the large-scale deployment of artificial structures at sea. Once installed, these structures are rapidly colonised. This is known as biofouling, in the case of attached organisms, and the reef effect, in the case of all organisms using these structures. This dual phenomenon poses several challenges.

Biocolonisation can increase fatigue, accelerate material degradation and call into question the design assumptions for critical components such as moorings and dynamic cables. Whilst they may promote biodiversity, artificial offshore structures also raise questions regarding their long-term ecological impacts.

Objectives

To gain a better understanding of the early stages of biocolonisation on an offshore structure by studying the organisms involved and how their populations evolve over time and space
To identify the most robust techniques and protocols for accurately characterising biofouling remotely and automatically

Main achievements

Review of remote biofouling measurement techniques and the technologies used for underwater metrology and the identification of species groups

Drawing up a roadmap for the development of automated biofouling characterisation technologies

Multi-year monitoring of biocolonisation at several sites in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, involving the development of suitable sampling devices and an associated innovative protocol

Study of the variability of biofouling as a function of site, depth and timescale

Identification of the main factors influencing biocolonisation based on various parameters measured on site

Development of an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular criteria(metabarcoding)

Study of the potential for using biofouling as a passive sampler of the reef effect

Main outputs

Enhanced database on biofouling of French coasts, including physico-chemical parameters measured in situ and variations with depth
Recommendations for establishing a protocol for measuring biofouling on nylon mooring lines and dynamic cables prior to the installation of farms
Recommendations for an integrative taxonomic approach (morphology and DNA) to improve the comprehensiveness of findings on biocolonisation diversity
Methodology for measuring the influence of environmental variables on the dynamics of biocolonisation
Roadmap for the qualification of innovative sensors designed to measure biofouling remotely

Project sheet

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Conclusion

Representative materials must be deployed for at least two years in order to characterise the nature and dynamics of biofouling at a site, with a view to taking these factors into account when determining the design parameters and defining the initial state. The integrative taxonomic approach provides a better understanding of the diversity of biofouling and mobile species, whilst also detecting non-native species. Characterising the potential for biofouling at different sites improves system design, yielding values that are closer to reality than certain standards based on experience from the North Sea.

Partners

This project was led by France Energies Marines.

Funding

This project received French State funding managed by the National Research Agency under the France 2030 investment plan (ANR-10-IEED-0006-34). It also received financial support from the Brittany, Occitanie, Pays de La Loire and SUD Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

Accreditation

This project was certified by the maritime cluster Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique.

BIODHYL

Context

Objectives

Main achievements

Review of remote biofouling measurement techniques and the technologies used for underwater metrology and the identification of species groups

Drawing up a roadmap for the development of automated biofouling characterisation technologies

Multi-year monitoring of biocolonisation at several sites in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, involving the development of suitable sampling devices and an associated innovative protocol

Study of the variability of biofouling as a function of site, depth and timescale

Identification of the main factors influencing biocolonisation based on various parameters measured on site

Development of an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular criteria(metabarcoding)

Study of the potential for using biofouling as a passive sampler of the reef effect

Main outputs

Conclusion

Partners

Funding

Accreditation

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BIODHYL

Context

Objectives

Main achievements

Review of remote biofouling measurement techniques and the technologies used for underwater metrology and the identification of species groups

Drawing up a roadmap for the development of automated biofouling characterisation technologies

Multi-year monitoring of biocolonisation at several sites in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, involving the development of suitable sampling devices and an associated innovative protocol

Study of the variability of biofouling as a function of site, depth and timescale

Identification of the main factors influencing biocolonisation based on various parameters measured on site

Development of an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular criteria(metabarcoding)

Study of the potential for using biofouling as a passive sampler of the reef effect

Main outputs

Conclusion

Partners

Funding

Accreditation

Pour aller plus loin

Ajoutez votre titre ici

Ajoutez votre titre ici

Ajoutez votre titre ici

Would you like to know more ?

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