Assessment of Effects of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)?Treated Timber on Nontarget Epibiota by Investigation of Fouling Community Development at Seven European Sites

Abstract

To assess the effect of the anti-marine-borer timber preservative CCA (a pressure-impregnated solution of copper, chromium, and arsenic compounds) on nontarget epibiota, fouling community development was investigated. Panels of Scots pine treated to target retentions of 12, 24, and 48 kg CCA per m3 of wood (covering the range of retentions recommended for marine use) plus untreated controls were submerged at seven coastal sites (Portsmouth, UK; La Tremblade [two sites], France; Ria Formosa, Portugal; Sagres, Portugal; Kristineberg, Sweden; Athens, Greece). The fouling community on the surfaces of the panels was assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively after 6, 12, and 18 months of exposure. Multivariate statistical methods were used to compare community structure between panel treatments. Panels treated to the three CCA loadings supported very similar fouling assemblages, which in most cases had higher numbers of taxa and individuals than assemblages on untreated panels. No detrimental effects on epibiota due to CCA preservatives were detected at any of the treatment levels at all seven exposure sites, suggesting that the range of environmental conditions at the sites had no bearing on preservative impact on fouling biota. Differences in community structure between CCA-treated and untreated panels may be due to enhanced larval settlement on CCA-treated timber by some species as a result of modifications to the surface properties of the timber by the preservative. Possible reasons for the higher numbers of certain species on the surface of CCA-treated panels are discussed.

Epifaunal colonization of the Loch Linnhe artificial reef: Influence of substratum on epifaunal assemblage structure

“…After extended periods of exposure the surfaces of certain types of material may degrade to the point that the epifaunal community is lost as the outer surfaces break away. This process has been reported on timber exposed in the sea (Brown & Eaton, 1999;Brown et al 2003;Pitman et al 2003) and will likely occur to metal structures as the surfaces rust and break down as was the case in the current study (personal observations). Exposure of the epifaunal assemblage to toxins leached from the artificial substrata is another factor which may affect community composition (Brown & Eaton, 1999;Wilding & Sayer, 2002b).…”

“…The concrete settlement panels were made from the same material as the Loch Linnhe Artificial Reef (Wilding & Sayer, 2002a;2002b). Wooden panels were treated with copper-chrome-arsenic preservative following the procedure described in Brown et al (2003). This preservative is commonly used for the prevention of marine borer attack and decay of timber used in maritime constructions around the world.…”

Marine Environmentally Friendly Antifouling Coatings in Eastern Harbor, Alexandria, Egypt

“…Most biofouling research has concentrated on investigating methods of control (Brown & Eaton, 2001). Previously, toxic biocides such as copper, chrome and arsenic and tributyltin (TBT) have been used for antifouling (Brown et al, 2003;and Railkin, 2004). Among all the proposed solutions, tributyltin copolymer paints (TBT-SPC paints) have been the most successful antifouling on ships.…”

Application of a micro-respirometric volumetric method to respiratory measurements of larvae of the Pacific oysterCrassostrea gigas

“…In this study, the potential of this method of measuring effects of contaminants on respiration is demonstrated using larvae exposed to leachate from wood treated with a preservative used to protect wood from marine borers. The use of this preservative (chromated copper arsenate -CCA -oxides chemically bonded to the wood) in the marine environment, has recently come under scrutiny with regard to environmental impact (Brown et al 2003).…”