Spatial and temporal variations of biofouling on the oil platforms around Khark Island, Persian Gulf

Abstract

This study examined spatial and temporal variations on fouling organisms of oil platforms around Khark Island, Persian Gulf, during July 2010 to July 2011. Test panel exposure techniques consisted of four textures which was lodged on the oil platform piers at two different depths was used in five stations during one year. Organisms on the panels were collected seasonally from each site. Environmental parameters were recorded. Thirty seven species from 11 phyla of macro-fouling organisms were identified on test panels. Arthropoda (Cirripedia) and Mollusca (Bivalvia) were dominant phyla (85% and 5.1%, respectively). Biomass (dry weight) of each fouling plates was measured in for seasons. Results indicated that biomass dry weight was significantly different in different seasons, depths and textures (<i>p</i><0.05) but not in stations (<i>p</i>>0.05). The results demonstrated that the biofouling biomass changes temporally but not spatially.