A Biochemical Mechanism for Marine Biofouling

Microbial communities form rapidly on all surfaces exposed to seawater. Microbial fouling is related to a number of problems in marine technology. Corrosion of metal structures in the ocean is affected by microbial films. In addition, microbial fouling induces the settlement of macrofouling organisms. We suggest in this paper a general model to describe the interactions among fouling organisms. This model is based on a study of the settlement and metamorphosis of a spirorbid polychaete. Our data indicate that carbohydrates produced by bacterial films induce larvae of invertebrates to foul a surface. This process appears to be mediated by the binding of the bacterial carbohydrates to proteins produced by the larvae. These carbohydrate-binding proteins are common in many plants and animals. Our model may explain at a biochemical level the controlling mechanism for fouling of surfaces immersed in the sea.