Biodeterioration of coastal concrete structures by Macro algae - Chaetomorpha antennina

Abstract

Puducherry is a coastal region in India where the growth of Chaetomorpha antennina is very abundant on all marine concrete structures. Though the detrimental effect of this Macro algaeChaetomorpha antennina is secondary, its effect has to be ascertained. To know its effect, M20 grade concrete cubes were cast and kept in the coastal area where there is abundant growth of Chaetomorpha antennina and also laboratory simulation has been carried out. The basic mechanism by which Chaetomorpha antennina deteriorates concrete structures has been highlighted and also the detrimental effect on the algal grown concrete surface were ascertained using SEM, EDX and XRD. The result showed that there is sustainable effect by the marine algae on the concrete surface.

Keywords

• Marine algae
• marine concrete structures
• Chaetomorpha antennina
• deterioration