Transitioning to nontoxic antifouling paints

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reduce the amount of copper in antifouling paints by using eugenol as an additive. Biofouling leads to deterioration of any submerged material. The most widespread method for control is the application of cuprous oxide antifouling paints which are toxic. Fir...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: García, Mónica, Stupak, Mirta Elena, Perez, Miriam Cristina, Blustein, Guillermo
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2015
Country:Argentina
Institution:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repository:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/11226
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/11226
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Copper
Organic Compounds
Antifouling Paints
Marine Biology
Micro-Organisms
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2.11
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/2
Description
Summary:Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reduce the amount of copper in antifouling paints by using eugenol as an additive. Biofouling leads to deterioration of any submerged material. The most widespread method for control is the application of cuprous oxide antifouling paints which are toxic. First of all, the paper describes the effect of eugenol on larvae of Balanus amphitrite (fouling organism) under laboratory conditions and then the preparation, application and performance of different types of antifouling paints in field trials. Design/methodology/approach – Three types of soluble matrix antifouling paints were prepared with different pigments. The first one containing 16 per cent v/v copper, the second with 1.6 per cent copper and the third with 1.6 per cent copper 2 per cent eugenol. Findings – After 12 months of immersion in Mar del Plata harbour paints containing 1.6 per cent copper eugenol and 16 per cent copper were the most effective. Although these formulations showed a similar performance, copper eugenol-based paint contains 90 per cent lesser copper than a traditional copper-based formulation. Originality/value – The use of antifouling paints with copper eugenol combination as pigment is a promising alternative due to its performance, low cost and reduction in copper leaching to environment.