Biofouling community dynamics in Louisiana Shelf oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

This paper presents the quantitative results on the standing
stock and population densities of the fouling community on the
submerged oil platform structures in the area of the Offshore
Ecology Investigations on the Louisiana Shelf. Climax fouling
community was investigated on the basis of quantitative samples
and in situ photographs. Patterns in biomass and density of
seasonal fouling settlement were explained on the basis of
periodic examination of in situ test panels, Oil platforms act as
artificial reefs, offering large submerged surfaces for promoting
biofouling growth in this environment. Comparisons of conditions
today with baseline information obtained two decades
ago from platforms point out some faunal changes. Vertical
zonation in types of sessile foulers in Exxon Platform 54A
suggest the dominance of the barnacle-Enteromorpha community
in the tidal and surge zone; the hydroid-barnacle community in
the submerged zone, and the hydroid Bougainvillia-serpuIid
community in the near-bottom turbid zone.