Bacterial byproduct keeps barnacles from clinging to ships' hulls

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While the sight of barnacles on ships' hulls may seem like a very normal part of the maritime environment, the fact is that the presence of such organisms makes a vessel much less streamlined. The harder it is for a ship to slice through the water, the harder its engines have to work and the more fuel it uses. Although there are some anti-fouling coatings that can be applied to hulls, these are often toxic, and can leach into the surrounding water and harm marine organisms. Some recent efforts at eco-friendly solutions have included using fungus and seed-inspired coatings, but scientists at Sweden's University of Gothenburg are now reporting success with the use of molecules created by a certain type of bacteria... Continue Reading Bacterial byproduct keeps barnacles from clinging to ships' hulls

Section: On the Water

Tags: Bacteria, Boats, Eco-friendly, Shipping, University of Gothenburg

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