Review of environmentally-friendly paints for fouling control in the marine environment

Following the ban in 2003 on the use of tributyl-tin compounds in antifouling coatings, the search for an environmentally-friendly alternative has accelerated. Biocidal TBT alternatives, such as diuron and Irgarol 1051 have proved to be environmentally damaging to marine organisms. Biofouling increase drag on marine vessels resulting in higher fuel consumption and can also facilitate the transport of harmful non-indigenous. Antifouling technologies incorporating biocides (e.g., copper and triutyltin) have been developed to prevent settlement of organisms on vessels, but their widespread use has introduced high levels of contamination in to the environment and raised concerns about their toxic effects on marine communities. In addition urgent research is directed towards the exploitation of mechanisms used by living organisms designed to repel the settlement of fouling organisms. These biomimetic strategies include the production of antifouling enzymes and novel surface topography that are incompatible with permanent attachment, for example,by mimicking the microstructure of shark skin. Other research seek exploit chemical signals and antimicrobial agents produced y diverse living organisms in the environment to prevent fouling