Biodeterioration of Coastal Concrete Structures by Marine Green Algae

Puducherry is a coastal region in India where the growth of Ulva fasciata (Delile) is very abundant on all marine structures. Though the detrimental effect of this macro algae Ulva fasciata is a secondary one, its effect has to ascertain. To know its effect, the basic mechanism by which Ulva fasciata deteriorates concrete structures, M20 grade concrete cubes were casted and kept in the coastal area where there is abundant growth of Ulva fasciata and also laboratory simulation has been carried out. To ascertain the detrimental effect by the macro algae on concrete surface, sles were collected from the concrete cubes kept in the coastal area and also from the laboratory simulated one. The collected sles were analyzed by SEM, EDX and XRD to establish the degree of deterioration done by marine algae on concrete surface. The SEM and EDX results showed that there is a remarkable change in the base materials viz., Ca and Si content and XRD results revealed the absence of Calcium Hydroxide. Both the results confirmed the biodeterioration of concrete by the marine green algae.