biofouling

[bahy-oh-fou-ling]

noun

the gradual accumulation of organisms such as algae, bacteria, barnacles, and protozoa on underwater equipment, pipes, and surfaces, corroding and impairing structures and systems.

Related formsbi·o·foul·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

biofouling in Science

biofouling

[bī′ō-fou′lĭng]

The impairment or degradation of underwater surfaces or equipment as a result of the growth of living organisms. Organisms such as bacteria, protozoans, algae, and crustaceans can accumulate in large numbers on surfaces like pipes, tanks, and ships' hulls, resulting in corrosion, clogging, contamination, or a decrease in the efficiency of moving parts.