The effect of external biological factors on settlement of marine invertebrate and new antifouling technology

Abstract

The development of a biofilm community on a surface is a sequence of events commonly occurring in marine waters, where a macromolecular film is colonized by bacteria to which invertebrate larvae are recruited as competent larvae. The free living larvae are dependent on the detection of chemical cues or triggers associated with the settling substratum in order to be able to colonize a surface. Many of the components inducing settlement and/or metamorphosis or inhibiting settlement of larvae may be produced by surface‐associated microorganisms. The settlement of invertebrate larvae to man‐made surfaces submerged in marine waters is often associated with damage of materials and increased drag. Due to the problems arising from the use of toxic metals in marine antifouling coatings there is a growing interest in isolating naturally produced antifouling agents. The concept of utilizing products of bacterial origin in novel antifouling coatings is suggested to be a promising approach towards fouling control.