Roughness-dependent removal of settled spores of the green alga Ulva (syn. Enteromorpha) exposed to hydrodynamic forces from a water jet
Journal article, 2004

Topographic features change the hydrodynamic regime over surfaces subjected to flow. Hydrodynamic microenvironments around topographic structures may have consequences for recruitment and removal of propagules of marine benthic organisms. The settlement and adhesion of zoospores from the green alga Ulva linza (syn. Enteromorpha linza) to defined topographies was investigated. A range of topographic size scales (R-z: 25-100 mum) was manufactured from plankton nets, creating patterns with ridges and depressions. The topographic scales span a roughness similar to that of natural substrata and antifouling coatings. Spores were removed from the surfaces by a calibrated water jet. Fewer spores were removed from the smallest topographic structure tested (R-z: 25 mum) compared to both the smooth (R-z: 1) and the roughest (R-z: 100 mum) structures. Zoospores that settled in depressions were less likely to be removed compared to spores on the ridges. The results in terms of the interaction between surface topography and hydrodynamic forces have implications for both natural substrata exposed to wave action and antifouling surfaces on ships' hulls. The possible effects of topography on increasing zoospore adhesion and offering a refuge from hydrodynamic forces are discussed.

adhesion

spores

ORGANISMS

biofouling

Ulva

ADHESION STRENGTH

surface roughness

algal

hydrodynamic forces

CYPRIDS

PROPAGULES

APPARATUS

RECRUITMENT

Enteromorpha

MICROSCOPY

COATINGS

ZOOSPORES

SURFACE-ROUGHNESS

Author

Lena Granhag

University of Gothenburg

J. A. Finlay

Per R. Jonsson

University of Gothenburg

J. A. Callow

M. E. Callow

Biofouling

0892-7014 (ISSN) 1029-2454 (eISSN)

Vol. 20 2 117-122

Subject Categories

Ecology

DOI

10.1080/08927010410001715482

More information

Created

10/10/2017