Link from an External Source Relevant to this Research Topic:

Managing Biofouling on Submerged Static Artificial Structures in the Marine Environment – Assessment of Current and Emerging Approaches: 

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.759194/full


My Perspective on the Article

What piqued my interest about the affixed article is how it addresses a pressing contemporary issue in marine environments which is the management of biofouling on submerged static artificial structures (SSAS). 

Image illustrating the progression of biofouling presence on a marine structure over a period of 8 weeks.

As the prominence and diversity of these structures increase globally, so does the potential for the presence of biofouling with adverse short-term and long-term impacts. The article consolidates a number of current and emerging technological approaches utilized across multiple sectors for the management of biofouling. The most prevalent approaches for managing biofouling are mechanical and reactive which means that the intervention is performed after high quantities of biofouling assemblages are established on marine structures (Hopkins et al., 2021). In my opinion, reactive measures are usually more challenging and costly to treat, which was also highlighted in the article. Reactive measures also may unfortunately provide opportunities for possible negative impacts to occur before the remedial action is undertaken. Fortunately, the emerging alternatives are focused on proactive and preventive management schemes however, there are inherent uncertainties regarding their feasibility, long-term efficacy and possible environmental impacts at operational scales (Hopkins et al., 2021).  What is intriguing is the common challenge of this article and my research which involves understanding and managing biofouling on marine/coastal structures. Additionally, I appreciate that the information encapsulated in this article can inform my research by identifying gaps for further investigation and priority avenues that require more exploration. This valuable information can help guide and strengthen aspects of my research.  


References

Hopkins, G., Davidson, I., Georgiades, E., Floerl, O., Morrisey, D., & Cahill, P. (2021). Managing Biofouling on Submerged Static Artificial Structures in the Marine Environment – Assessment of Current and Emerging Approaches. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8(Marine Biology), Article 759194. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.759194

Roland, H. B. (2023). External vulnerability, local resilience, and urban-rural heterogeneity in the Marshall Islands. Environmental Science & Policy, 152, 103643. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ArticleID

United Nations Foundation. (n.d.). U.S. Leadership on the SDGs. United Nations Foundation. https://unfoundation.org/what-we-do/issues/sustainable-development-goals/u-s-leadership-on-the-sdgs/

XUE, C., 2001. Coastal erosion and management of Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands. Journal of Coastal Research 17(4) 909-918. West Palm Beach (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.



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