No harm no foul: Marine coating draws copper from seawater

摘要

The $350,000 project will conduct a series of sea trials in the next 12 months and is being led by Flinders University in South Australia in collaboration with the University of South Australia, shipbuilder ASC and the Australian Department of Defence. Fungicide paints that release copper into the water to kill off organic growth such as algae and barnacles from ship surfaces are the most commonly used antifouling coatings. However, this has led to environmental concerns about the enrichment of copper in the water in harbours around the world. Alternative silicon-based coatings have proven to be effective at removing algae and other organisms when boats reach a certain speed but are expensive and ineffective at preventing build-up on vessels docked in port.