Interrupting a multi-species bioinvasion vector: The efficacy of in-water cleaning for removing biofouling on obsolete vessels

Vector management is the primary method for reducing and preventing nonindigenous species (NIS) invasions and their ecological and economic consequences. This study was the first to examine the efficacy of in-water scrubbing using a submersible cleaning and maintenance platform (SCAMP) to prevent in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2008-09, Vol.56 (9), p.1538-1544
Main Authors: Davidson, Ian C., McCann, Linda D., Sytsma, Mark D., Ruiz, Gregory M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biodeterioration. Biofouling
Biofilms - growth & development
Biofouling
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
Conopeum
Decapoda
Ecosystem
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Environmental Restoration and Remediation - instrumentation
Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
In-water cleaning
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Ischadium recurvum
Loxothylacus
Marine and brackish environment
Mytilopsis leucophaeata
Nonindigenous species
Ships
Species Specificity
Transfer mechanism
Vector management
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Summary:Vector management is the primary method for reducing and preventing nonindigenous species (NIS) invasions and their ecological and economic consequences. This study was the first to examine the efficacy of in-water scrubbing using a submersible cleaning and maintenance platform (SCAMP) to prevent invertebrate species transfers from a heavily fouled obsolete vessel. Initially, prior to treatment, 37 species were recorded in a biofouling matrix that reached 30 cm depth in some locations. The bryozoan Conopeum chesapeakensis, and bivalves Mytilopsis leucophaeata and Ischadium recurvum, were dominant sessile species that created structure, supporting mobile biota that included crabs and the associated parasitic barnacle Loxothylacus panopae. Scrubbing had the effect of significantly reducing organism extent and the number of species per sample, but a substantial and diverse (30 species) residual fouling community remained across the entire vessel. Further assessments of management options are needed to prevent potentially damaging NIS transfers. Additional measures taken within an integrated vector management (IVM) strategy may further improve invasion prevention measures.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.05.024