Preservation of marine timbers

Abstract

Timber has been used as a constructional material in the marine environment for centuries and during this time man has sought ways of protecting it from the activities of degrading organisms. Although micro-organisms decay the surfaces of wood exposed in seawater the primary agents of attack are the marine wood boring animals - the molluscs and crustaceans. It seems that the establishment of superficial microbial decay will enhance the settlement of marine borers on the wood surface. This being so, the problem of protecting timber from animal attack must also be considered in terms of the softening of wood surfaces by bacteria and fungi. Timber is a relatively cheap and adaptable material for permanent marine construction. It is used for piling in wharves, jetties and piers, as supporting braces and as fenders. It is also used in small boat construction. In addition the transport and storage of sawn-logs in brackish and seawater situations may also result in marine borer deterioration prior to conversion. Although considerable research effort has been directed towards the development of methods for protecting timber in the sea, much of this work has been concentrated in temperate regions of the world. However, the problems are far more acute in the tropics where so far, comparatively little research has been carried out.