A SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY TO MARINE BIOFOULING PREVENTION: INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CORAL-BASED ANTIFOULING COATINGS ON ALUMINIUM SURFACES

Abstract

The issue of marine biofouling presents a considerable obstacle to the marine sector and carries adverse ecological consequences. The marine ecosystem has been negatively impacted by toxic antifouling coatings, leading to a worldwide prohibition. As a result, there is an urgent demand for the creation of antifouling coatings that are both environmentally sustainable and effective. In recent years, there has been significant interest in antifouling coatings that draw inspiration from corals, as a potential alternative solution. Corals possess inherent antifouling properties that have enabled them to flourish in the marine ecosystem, rendering them a potential source of inspiration for novel antifouling coatings. The present study assesses the efficacy of antifouling coatings derived from corals, which are known for their innate ability to resist fouling in the marine ecosystem, in preventing biofouling on aluminium substrates. The study utilises experimental techniques to evaluate the antifouling efficacy of coatings derived from coral. The methods employed include surface characterization, assays to assess the settlement of fouling organisms, and an analysis of the durability of the coatings over an extended period. The present study's results enhance comprehension of the viability of coral-derived antifouling coatings as a sustainable approach to counteracting marine biofouling on aluminium surfaces. Additionally, the findings offer valuable perspectives for the creation of ecologically sound antifouling coatings in the marine sector.