Abstract
Key concepts in the hydrodynamics of drag-reducing macromolecular solution flow are reviewed with emphasis on how these phenonema could lead to more effective swimming by fish, through the utilization of the mucus or slime layer.
The drag-reducing properties of polysaccharides and other high polymers produced by bacteria, algae, and other marine organisms are presented, and some generalizations attempted as to the nature of natural exudates insofar as their friction-reducing capabilities are concerned.
Literature data on the drag-reducing properties of fish slimes are reviewed and correlated. Mechanisms involved in utilizing the slime to achieve good swimming efficiency include transition delay, and turbulent flow drag reduction, in addition to the recently discovered drag reduction in pulsed laminar flow of polymer solutions.
Both theory and experiment indicate the transient laminar shear flows show reduced wall shear stress in polymer solutions. Hence, the possibility exists that small fish with low length Reynolds numbers can utilize polymers to reduce drag, as well as the larger fish with high Reynolds numbers and turbulent flow.
Finally the available data on the chemistry of fish mucus secretions are reviewed to indicate the general macromolecular configurations involved, and comparisons made with other, better known, drag reducing polymers.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Enomoto, N. and Tomiyasu, Y. 1960a Studies on the external mucous substance of fishes - Part 1. On the chemical properties of the mucous substance of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus cantor. Bulletin Jap. Soc. Sci. Fisheries, 26, 739.
Enomoto, N., Nagao, T. and Tomiyasu, Y. 1960b Studies on the external mucous substance of fishes - Part II. On the chemical properties of the mucous substance of the conger, Astroconger myriaster brevoort. Bulletin Jap. Soc. Sci. Fisheries, 26, 745.
Enomoto, N., Nagao, T. and Tomiyasu, Y. 1961 Studies on the external mucous substance of fishes - Part III. Identification of amino acids in the mucous protein from some fish by paper chromotography. Bulletin Jap. Soc. Sci. Fisheries, 27, 143.
Gawn, R. W. L. 1950 Fish propulsion in relation to ship design. Trans. Inst. Nay. Arch., 323.
Gero, D. R. 1952 The hydrodynamic aspects of fish propulsion. American Museum Novitates, No. 1601.
Hansen, R. J. 1973 The reduced drag of polymer solutions in turbulent and transient laminar shear flows. Trans. ASME, J. Fluids Engineering, 1, 23.
Hele-Shaw, H. 5. 1897 Experiments on the nature of the surface resistance in pipes and on ships. Transactions Institution of Naval Architects, 39, Discussion, 156.
Hoyt, J. W. 1968 Turbulent-flow properties of polysaccharide solutions. Solution Properties of Natural Polymers, 207, Special Publication No. 23, The Chemical Society, London.
Hoyt, J. W. 1970 High molecular weight algal substances in the sea. Marine Biology, 7, 93.
Hoyt, J. W. 1972 The effect of additives on fluid friction. Trans ASME, J. Basic Engineering, 94 D, 258.
Hoyt, J. W. and Fabula, A. G. 1964 The effect of additives on fluid friction. Proc 5th Symposium on Naval Hydrodynamics, Bergen, ONR ACR-112, 971.
Jakowska, S. 1963 Mucus secretion in fish - a note. New York Academy of Science, Annals, 106, 458.
Kale, D. D., Mashelkar, R. A. and Ulbrecht, J. 1973 Drag reduction in rotational viscoelastic boundary layer flows. Nature Physical Science, 242, 29.
Kempf, G. 1935 Wasserwiderstand von Hechten. Zeitschrift des Vereines deutscher Ingenieure, 79, 1071.
Kenis, P. R. 1968 Drag reduction by bacterial metabolities. Nature, 217, 940.
Kohn, M. C. 1973 Energy storage in drag-reduction polymer solutions. J. Polymer Science, 11, 2339.
Magan, A. and Sainte-Laguë, A. 1929 Essai de theorie du poisson. Services Techniques de 1’Aeronautique. Bulletin Technique no. 58.
Richardson, E. G. 1936 The physical aspects of fish locomotion. J. Experimental Biology, 13, 63.
Ripkin, J. F. and Pilch, M. 1964 Non-newtonian pipe friction studies with various dilute polymer water solutions. St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory, Report no. 71.
Rosen, M. W. and Cornford, N. E. 1971 Fluid friction of fish slimes. Nature, 234, 49.
Sundes, G. 1963 Swimming speed of fish as a factor in gear research. Reports on Norwegian Fishery, and Marine Investigations, 13, 126.
Toms, B. A. 1948 Some observations on the flow of linear polymer solutions through straight tubes at large Reynolds numbers. Proceedings International Rheological Congress, Scheveningen, Netherlands, 2, 135.
Voitkounsky, Ya. I., Amfilokhiev, W. B. and Pavlovsky, V. A. 1972 On the theoretical description of the flows of dilute polymer solutions. Paper distributed on the occasion of the ONR Ninth Symposium on Naval Hydrodynamics, Paris.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1975 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hoyt, J.W. (1975). Hydrodynamic Drag Reduction Due to Fish Slimes. In: Wu, T.YT., Brokaw, C.J., Brennen, C. (eds) Swimming and Flying in Nature. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1326-8_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1326-8_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-1328-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-1326-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive