Contact Details:

Dr. M E Callow

Senior Research Fellow

School of Biological Sciences

The University of Birmingham

Birmingham

B15 2TT

UK

Telephone: +44 (0) 121 414 5579

Fax: +44 (0) 121 414 5579

Email: m.e.callow@bham.ac.uk

Research

Marine Biofouling, especially in relation to the control of algae which foul ships. Algae may be controlled through the use of traditional antifouling paints which contain biocides which kill the settling cells or spores. Currently work is focussed on those biocides which degrade rapidly in seawater. Research is also being undertaken into other, more environmentally approaches of controlling biofouling, including studies on bioadhesion of Enteromorpha to non-toxic, foul-release coatings.

The role of biofilms on water quality. A number of projects in collaboration with Dr B S C Leadbeater and Dr W A House, Institute of Freshwater Ecology are in progress involving

• the role of algae in the precipitation of calcite and co-precipitaton with phosphate, in hard waters
• the role of algal biofilms in relation to nutrient recycling in sediments
• development of a phosphate microelectrode to study phosphate fluxes in and above biofilms.

Other projects currently being researched include:

• Control of eutrophication by biomanipulation using reed beds and straw.
• The role of microbial biofilms on granular activated charcoal (GAC) filters used in the production water of drinking quality.
• Control of algae on building materials.
• Studies on the efficacy and degadation of anti-fouling biocides

Publications

Biocides and Fouling Control

Callow M E & Edyvean R G V (1990) Algal fouling and Corrosion. In: I Akatsuka (ed), Introduction to Applied Phycology. SPB Academic Publishing, The Netherlands, pp 367-387

Heaton P E, Butler G M, Milne A, Callow M E (1991) Studies on biocide release and performance of novel antifouling paints. Biofouling, 3: 35-43

Heaton P E, Butler G M, Callow M E. (1992) Life strategies of wall-disfiguring moulds in relation to temperature fluctuations on the wall of a maltings kiln. Int Biodet & Biodeg, 29: 135-149

Callow M E, Finlay J A (1995) A simple method to evaluate the potential for degradation of antifouling biocides. Biofouling 9: 153-165

Finlay J A, Callow M E (1996) The potential of alkyl amines as antifouling biocides 1: toxicity and structure activity relationships. Biofouling 9: 257-268

Callow M E, Willingham G L (1996) Degradation of antifouling biocides. Biofouling 10: 239-249

Callow M E (1996) Ship-fouling: the problem and methods of control. Biodeterioration Abstracts 10: 411-421

Finlay J A, Callow M E (1997) The toxicity of alkyl amines: the effects of pH. Biofouling 11: 19-30

Biofilms and Biofouling in Freshwater

Santos R, Callow M E, Bott T R (1991) The structure of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms in contact with flowing systems. Biofouling 4: 319-336

Heath C R, Leadbeater B S C, Callow M E (1993) Formation and calcification of biofilms on antifouling paints in hard waters. Biofouling 7: 29-55

Callow M E (1993) A review of fouling in freshwaters. Biofouling 7: 313-327

Heath C R, Leadbeater B S C, Callow M E (1995) Effect of inhibitors on calcium carbonate deposition mediated by freshwater algae. J Appl Phycology 7: 367-380

Hartley A M, House W A, Callow M E, Leadbeater B S C (1995) The role of a green alga in the precipitation of calcite and coprecipitation of phosphate in freshwater. Int Revue ges Hydrobiol 80: 385-401

Heath C R, Leadbeater B S C, Callow M E (1996) The control of calcification of antifouling paints in hard waters using a phosphonate inhibitor. Biofouling 9: 317-325

Hartley A M, House W A, Leadbeater B S C, Callow M E (1996) The use of microelectrodes to study the precipitation of calcite upon algal biofilms. J Coll Interf Sci 183: 498-505

Hartley A M, House W A, Callow M E, Leadbeater B S C (1997) Coprecipitation of phosphate with calcite in the presence of photosynthesising green algae. Wat Res 31: 2261-2268

Fouling and bioadhesion

Fletcher R L, Callow M E (1992) The settlement, attachment and establishment of marine algal spores. Br phycol J 27: 303-329

Callow M E, Fletcher R L (1994) The influence of low surface energy materials on bioadhesion - a review. Intern Biodet & Biodeg 34: 333-348

Callow M E, Callow J A, Pickett-Heaps J D, Wetherbee R (1997) Primary adhesion of Enteromorpha (Chlorophyta, Ulvales) propagules: quantitative settlement studies and video microscopy. J Phycol 33: 938-947

Projects for Postgraduates

If you are interested in studing for a PhD in any of the three research areas outlined above, please contact me by email.Within the School of Biological Sciences, a range of research studentships is available annually. These are awarded to the best qualified candidates in the spring of each year so if you wish to be considered for such a studentship it is advisable to contact me as early in the academic year as possible. For international students there are specific scholarships available to assist their study in Birmingham.

For further details on postgraduate study in the School of Biological Sciences, or the University of Birmingham, follow the links.

Biofouling

(The Journal of Bioadhesion and Biofilm Research)

Editor for Europe and Middle East

See current issue for information concerning submission of manuscripts or contact me by email.