Boat Bottom PaintBoat Bottom Paint
In order to minimize the impact of the marine growth, many underwater structures are protected by antifouling coatings or bottom paint. Many types of coatings have been found to be toxic to marine organisms. The ban of organotins toxic biocides in marine coatings is a severe problem for the shipping industry. Safer methods of biofouling control are actively researched and copper compounds have successfully been used in paints as metal sheeting. This procedure is still in debate as to the safety of copper. The Office of Naval Research has developed environmentally safe biomimetic ship coatings that protect against both barnacles and biofilms. |