MACROFOULING IN THE COOLING WATER CONDUITS OF A COASTAL POWER-STATION

Macrofouling incidence at six different locations experiencing differe nt environmental conditions in the cooling conduits of the Madras Atom ic Power Station (MAPS) was studied. Samples were analyzed for biomass and species abundance. Fouling biomass was significantly (t=3.95, P=0 .0016) higher on concrete surface than on carbon steel surface. Flow v elocity, temperature and substratum type were the main factors which d etermined community structure in different sections of the cooling con duits. These factors as well as the fouling control regime adopted in cooling systems make fouling more intense in some places than in other s.