Organic alternatives to copper in the control of marine biofouling

M C PÉREZ; M E STUPAK; G BLUSTEIN; M GARCIA; L MÅRTENSSON LINBLAD

Advances in marine antifouling coatings and technologies

Woodhead Publishing Limited

Lugar: Cambridge; Año: 2009; p. 554 - 571

Since the ban of tributyltin, the use of large amounts of copper into antifouling formulations has been the main responsible for a low occurrence of animal fouling on ship hulls and, subsequently, important fuel savings (Schultz, 2007). However, doubts about its environmental profile (see Chapter 14) have encouraged considerable efforts aimed at identifying antifouling alternatives to copper. This chapter includes information about three of the new antifouling candidates which are being identified worldwide. First, the use of sodium benzoate and ferric benzoate, which have demonstrated antifouling effects both in aqueous solutions and as part of soluble matrix paints, is presented. Secondly, medetomidine, a non-toxic pharmacological substance showing activity at very low amounts and interacting strongly with paint surfaces is presented. Finally, we discuss the use of quebracho tannin and aluminium tannate, and their potential activity to fouling organisms. The employ of unconventional organic chemicals provides an alternative solution in response to the demands for an effective antifouling strategy to replace copper. 21. 1.1. KEY WORDS: sodium benzoate, ferric benzoate, medetomidine, quebracho tannin, aluminium tannate