title: The influence of biofilms on skin friction drag.
abstract: The contribution of biofilms to skin friction drag is not clearly defined, and as regulations continue to restrict the use of biocides in antifouling paints, they are likely to form a greater presence on ship hulls. This paper reviews the flow regime around a ship's hull, the basics of boundary layer structure, and the effects of rigid surface roughness on drag. A review of experimental studies of biofilms in turbulent shear flows at laboratory and ship-scale is made. The consensus of these studies shows that biofilms increase skin friction drag. Some measurements carried out in turbulent boundary layer flow using a two-component, laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) are also presented. These results indicate an increase in skin friction for biofilms that is dependent on composition as well as thickness.
authors: a      Division of Engineering R&D   ,  Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution   ,  5600 US 1 North ,  Fort Pierce ,  FL ,  34946 ,    USA.
authors: M P
authors: MP
authors: Schultz
authors: G W
authors: GW
authors: Swain