Macrofouling pressure recorded at outer Kiel Fjord on PVC panels in monthly intervals (August 2012 - July 2013)@en

Epiphytes found on PVC plates (n=15) total mean coverage [%]
To determine seasonal changes in macrofouling pressure roughened (60 grit sand paper) PVC plates of 7 × 7 cm (n=15) were horizontally exposed at 0.5 m under mid water level for four weeks. Their epiphytic coverage and composition were analyzed in monthly intervals over the period of one year (August 2012 until July 2013). The epiphytic coverage was analyzed in two steps: first, the plates were screened for small fouling species using a stereomicroscope (10-fold magnification), findings were recorded with the lowest %-value of 0.1%. Second, the total epiphyte coverage was estimated by naked eye and classified in %-grades: 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, and 30% up to 100% in steps of 10%.