Methods For Removal And Estimation Of Microfouling Biomass

Abstract

A comparative evaluation of various methods for the removal and estimation of microfouling material and biomass respectively was carried out. Efficiencies of removal of the microfouling layer were almost the same with a nylon brush, a stainless steel razor and a combination of nylon brush with sodium pyrophosphate. A single step scraping using a nylon brush removed the highest amount of the microfouling material (as dry weight and organic carbon). Most of the methods used for estimating microfouling biomass produced highly quantitative data. Estimation of microfouling biomass as dry weight and/or organic carbon is recommended, especially during oceanographic cruises, since these methods are quantitative and simple to use.