Biologically Fabricated Nanomaterials for Mitigation of Biofouling in Oil and Gas Industries

Abstract

Oil and gas industries suffer from a severe problem represented in biofouling. Biofouling occurs due to the colonization of micro-and macro-organisms on the surface of metallic structures. Biofouling has catastrophic economical, financial, environmental and health implications. It results in loss/contamination of products, high energy and fuel consumption, air pollution, etc. Hence, anti-biofouling strategies have been extensively investigated in the last few years. These strategies include the usage of biocides and protective paints and coatings. However, the worldwide new trend is to employ nanobiotechnology to eradicate biofouling negative impacts. Nanobiotechnology is a science in which different scientific fields are combined altogether including; nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science, physics, chemistry and biology. Although, physical and chemical synthesis approaches produce nanoparticles with definite size and shape, nevertheless, these synthetic methodologies have some disadvantages such as complication, high costs, production of hazardous byproducts which are lethal to the environment as well as human health. Moreover, physical and chemical synthesis methods require the presence of external chemical reducing and capping agents. Biological synthesis of nanoparticles depends on using biological entities such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, algae, agro-industrial wastes and plant extracts. This chapter summarizes the different biological entities that can be used as nano-bio-factories. It also emphasizes the-state-of the-art of the possible use of biogenic nanomaterials as effective biocides to mitigate biofouling.