pH tolerance of the biofouling invasive hydrozoan Cordylophora caspia
In: Hydrobiologia. Springer: The Hague. ISSN 0018-8158; e-ISSN 1573-5117, more
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| Keyword |
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| Author keywords |
Biofouling control, Economic impact, Power plant, Sodium hydroxide |
| Abstract |
The hydrozoan Cordylophora caspia, with its origin in the Caspian and Black Seas, is considered an invasive biofouling species to power stations and water treatment plants in Brazil, causing economic and ecological impacts. Tolerance of the species to variation in pH was tested to evaluate its resistance to acidic and basic pH levels. Values of pH were tested over a range from 4.0 to 10.0. The colonies were exposed for 6 h to each treatment, using phosphoric acid and NaOH to set water pH to the desired acidic or basic levels, respectively. Colonies of C. caspia displayed 100% mortality only at pH 4 and 10, and showed high survival rates (>50%) within the pH range of 5.0–8.5. The species demonstrated tolerance to a wide range of pH levels, and the results will help in the development of techniques to reduce biofouling by this species. Treatments that keep the pH below 5 or above 8.5 for at least 6 h are suggested to control and eradicate C. caspia where fouling causes significant economic impacts. |
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