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Anti-barnacle biofouling coatings for the protection of marine vessels: synthesis and progress

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Abstract

Marine biofouling has gnawed both mobile and non-mobile marine structures since time immemorial, leading to the deterioration of designed operational capabilities as well as a loss of valuable economic revenues. Mitigation of biofouling has been the primary focus of researchers and scientists from across the globe to save billions of dollars wasted due to the biological fouling of marine structures. The availability of an appropriate environment along with favorable substrata initiates biofilm formation within a few minutes. The crucial element in establishing a gelatinous biofilm is the excreted metabolites of destructive nature and exopolymeric substances (EPSs). These help in securing as well as signaling numerous foulants to establish themselves on this substrate. The larvae of various benthic invertebrates adhere to these suitable surfaces and transform from juveniles to adult barnacles depending upon the environment. Despite biofouling being characteristically witnessed for a month or lengthier timeframe, the preliminary phases of the fouling process typically transpire on a much lesser timescale. A few natural and synthetic additives had demonstrated excellent non-toxic anti barnacle establishment capability; however, further development into commercial products is still far-fetched. This review collates the specific anti-barnacle coatings, emphasizing natural additives, their sources of extraction, general life cycle analysis, and concluding future perspectives of this niche product.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Dr. C. P. Ramanarayanan, Vice-Chancellor of DIAT (DU), Late (Dr.) Ashutosh C Abhyankar, Head of Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering—DIAT (DU) and Dr. Manoranjan Patri, Sc ‘H’, Ex-Director of NMRL for their motivation and support. The first author would like to acknowledge Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai for the support. The authors are thankful to Mr. Prakash M. Gore, Mr. Nikhil A. Patil, and Ms. Niranjana JP for their persistent and appreciated methodological support throughout the review writing. The authors are thankful to all anonymous reviewers and the editor for improving the quality of the revised manuscript by their valuable comments and suggestions.

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The authors did not receive any funding for this work.

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PKS performed literature study, data analysis, and technical writing. SSP and SKR data analysis and technical editing. BK supervised the results, data analysis, and performed the technical revisions of the manuscript. All co-authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Balasubramanian Kandasubramanian.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Responsible Editor: V.V.S.S. Sarma

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Sarkar, P.K., Pawar, S.S., Rath, S.K. et al. Anti-barnacle biofouling coatings for the protection of marine vessels: synthesis and progress. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 26078–26112 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18404-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-18404-3

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