INTERACTION BETWEEN METALLIC MATERIALS AND EXTRACELLULAR POLYMERIC SUBSTANCES FOR BIOFOULING - FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF MATERIALS PROTECTION

Biofouling of various metallic materials in Marine environments are serious causes not only for deterioration of ship components and structures, but also for that of the whole off-shore and longshore structures. Particularly, metallic materials are critical for biofouling and corrosion, since they attract bacteria and react with polymeric substances derived from biofilms various bacteria produce cooperatively. In my presentation, I will talk about the background for biofilms and biofouling in marine environments, the theoretical aspects, mechanism, evaluation methods in the field, and also evaluation processes in the laboratory [l]-[8]. And some countermeasures from the alloy design and surface engineering etc. will be explained.