Reduction of microalgae by copper ion in impressed current anti fouling system for biofouling prevention in saline environment

The biofouling causes corrosion in marine environment, also known as the biological corrosion. The biological corrosion occurs in the metal material on coastal buildings, offshore buildings, port buildings and shipboard. One method to prevent the biological corrosion is ICAF (Impressed Current Anti-Fouling). The study on the microalgae that cause biofouling was conducted in laboratory scale using a simple ICAF system. The variables were the operating time of the simple ICAF system, the strength of the electric current and the species of microalgae. The determination of cell number of microalgae was conducted using a Neubauer improved Hemocytomete method, while determination of the concentration of Cu ion was conducted using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The aim of the research was to determine of microalgae, Isochrysis galbana and Botryococcus sp, population reduction using ICAF system. On the basis of the results, the highest population reduction occurred in Isochrysis galbana and Botryococcus sp reaching 77.5% and 50%, respectively. The highest concentration of Cu that was produced during the operation of the simple ICAF system reached 4.08 ± mg/L. In conclusion, ion Cu that was produced during the operation of the simple ICAF system can reduce the cell number of Isochrysis galbana and Botryococcus sp.