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Abstract

Freshwater microalgal biofouling in hydropower canals in Tarraleah, Tasmania, is dominated by a single diatom
species, Gomphonema tarraleahae. The microfouling community is under investigation with the aim of reducing its
impact on electricity generation. Species succession was investigated using removable glass slides. Fouled slides were
examined microscopically and for chlorophyll a biomass. Chl a biomass increased steeply after 8 weeks (0.09–
0.87 mg m72), but increased much earlier on slides surrounded by a biofouled inoculum. Succession began with low
profile diatoms such as Tabellaria flocculosa, progressing to stalked diatoms such as Gomphonema spp. and Cymbella
aspera. Few chlorophytes and no filamentous algae were present. Pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry was used
to measure the physiological health of fouling on the canal wall. Maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) measurements
were consistently 50.18, indicating that the fouling mat consisted of dead or dying algae. The succession and
physiological health of cells in the fouling community has broad implications for mitigation techniques used.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Perkins, KJ and Andrewartha, JM and McMinn, A and Cook, SS and Hallegraeff, GM
Keywords:	biofouling; succession; microalgae; Gomphonema; hydropower; pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry
Journal or Publication Title:	Biofouling
DOI / ID Number:	10.1080/08927014.2010.506610
Additional Information:	The definitive published version is available online at: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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