Surendran Sankunny

Marine biofouling refers to the undesirable growth and adhesion of marine organisms such as barnacles, macro-algae, microbial slimes etc. on immersed structures. Tropical ocean environment teems with microorganisms, of which some adhere, both to the static ship hull and while en-route to the destination increasing roughness1. A laboratory-scale LIBS technique was used to analyse biofouling samples and its constituent common water-borne algae and bacterial species2. Biofouling composition was determined by collecting samples from marine structures and vessels and analysing them in laboratories. Biofouling characterization tests were also done such as SEM analysis. The Quanta 200 FEG Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used for obtaining the SEM images. The structure of quartz crystal in the biofouling samples was also determined.

In the present study, LIBS spectra of biomolecules have been analyzed. The basic biomolecules considered for the analysis were Carbohydrates, Protein and Nucleic acids. It was possible to detect the characteristic emission lines of C, H, N, O, S etc. in the above biomolecules. The samples were prepared for laser ablation as biofilms on glass slides. Interference from substrate was observed in the LIBS spectra of samples. Raman spectra would also be acquired in future studies to obtain molecular information for the biomolecules.