The laminated plastic specimens were not affected by marine organisms 

 (Figure B-27). Metal, glass, and natural and butyl rubber were also immune to 

 attack. 



SUMMARY OF FINDINGS - TEST SITE II 



The effects of deep-sea fouling and boring organisms on the materials exposed 

 for 197 days on the ocean floor in 2,340 feet of water are summarized in Appendix A. 

 General findings were as follows: 



1. There is considerable biological activity in the sediment near Test Site II. 



2. There was bacterial slime growth on plastic and rope specimens, nickel- 

 plated shackles, and on aluminum buoys of the STU complex. 



3. Specimens of cotton and Manila rope fibers and jute fiber wrapping (burlap) 

 were deteriorated by bacterial action. 



4. Various wood panels such as pine, redwood, fir, maple, cedar, ash, and 

 oak were attacked by moderate numbers of marine borers, Xylophaga 

 washingtona Bartsch. Some of the larger borers were about 1/8 inch in 

 diameter and had penetrated about 5/16 inch into the wood. The borers 

 had penetrated slightly Into some of the plastic rods and tubes. Manila 

 rope specimens were heavily infested with marine boring animals. 



5. The following materials were not affected by marine organisms: metal, glass, 

 natural rubber, and butyl rubber. The following plastics with very hard and 

 smooth surfaces were not affected or were only slightly affected: plastic 

 laminates. Teflon, nylon, phenolic resin, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and 

 polyvinyl chloride. 



6. Marine borers were most active in protected areas, such as crevices or along 

 the edges of tape wrappings, where they were apparently sheltered from 



sea currents. 



COMPARISON OF TEST SITES I AND II 



A comparison of the biodeterioration reported here of materials exposed at 

 Test Site II (STU ll-l) in 2,340 feet of water with that of materials recovered from 

 Test Site I (STU 1-3) In 5,640 feet of water (Figure 1), reported In Reference 1, shows 

 some significant differences. 



There seem to be more and larger marine animals living in or on the soft bottom 

 sediment at Test Site II than at Test Site I. This observation is evidenced by the number 

 of amphipods and large crabs found on STU ll-l materials when recovered. These 



16 



