Macrofouling remediation strategies for water intakes of desalination and other industrial plants – A review

Marine benthic organisms and their rapid growth in successional stages pose widespread challenges in macrofouling, causing operational issues for industrial plants and facilities. Current research, sea trials, and industrial studies lack insights into the practicality of macrofouling remediation technologies when applied to industrial sites experiencing dynamic seawater flow and diverse fouling community conditions. This review aims to present globally developed mitigation strategies for managing macrofouling in industrial plants, such as desalination and power plants, along with other large-scale subsea applications. It addresses challenges, proposes performance aspects, and aims for more sustainable approaches in industrial settings. The review highlights recent mature technologies used to inhibit or eliminate macrofouling in large marine infrastructures, encompassing industrial water intakes, plants, facilities, harbors, and hulls. It also outlines the technical review of mitigation efficiency, costs, and environmental impacts related to macrofouling remediation technologies. The concluding section of the review discusses potential approaches to address marine macrofouling, emphasizing future research and industry studies for the commercialization of prospective technologies in sustainable biofouling remediation, particularly for water intake in industrial plants, such as desalination plants.