Natural Durability of Some Heartwood from European and Tropical African Trees against Marine Organisms

IRG/WP 09-10682

S Sen, H Sivrikaya, M Yalçın

This study aims to investigate the natural marine durability of some tropical and domestic wood species in marine environment. A total of 33 tree species, comprising 18 European and 15 tropical originated trees were exposed to marine conditions in 6 meters depth for a period of 14 months at east and west Black sea, Mediterranean, Aegean, and Marmara coasts. The results indicated that wood species which have rich extractive material content showed high marine durability. European tree species were severely attacked by boring organisms. It was showed that a positive correlation between the amount of extractive material and marine durability. Tropic African species, (Lophira alata, Nauclea diderichii, Tieghemella heckelii, Chlorophora excelsa, Distemonanthus benthamianus, Pterocarpus soyauxii, and Millettia laurentii) consisting of high natural durability were slightly degraded by organisms. The highest attack was observed in the industrial harbors. Five boring and 26 fouling species were identified in marine borers tested wood samples in this study. The two molluscan boring species, Teredo navalis and Lyrodus pedicellatus were present at all harbour sites, but Nototeredo norvegica occurred only industrial harbours; Bankia carinata, and the crustacean wood borer Limnoria tripunctata at only Mediterranean harbours.


Keywords: heartwood, natural marine durability, fouling and boring organisms

Conference: 09-05-24/28 Beijing, China


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