Patterns of macrofouling on steel platforms in the central and southern North Sea

Abstract

The Offshore Marine Studies Unit has studied marine growth on steel installations placed in twelve oifields in the central and northern NorthSea. Samples, colour photographs and video recordings have been analysed and studies made of the thickness of fouling layers at major elevations of platforms. Early predictive analyses of marine growth have been found to be inaccurate. No distinctive differences in the fouling assemblages on steel platforms in the central and northern North Sea are apparent. Twenty-one sessile organisms are common and abundant on most platforms studied. In addition, five other species are abundant on a minority of platforms. The biology of these organisms is discussed and the present lack of information on their possible role in bringing about corrosion highlighted.