Risks of Using Antifouling Biocides in Aquaculture

Abstract

Biocides are chemical substances that can deter or kill the microorganisms responsible for biofouling. The rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry is having a significant impact on the marine ecosystems. As the industry expands, it requires the use of more drugs, disinfectants and antifoulant compounds (biocides) to eliminate the microorganisms in the aquaculture facilities. The use of biocides in the aquatic environment, however, has proved to be harmful as it has toxic effects on the marine environment. Organic booster biocides were recently introduced as alternatives to the organotin compounds found in antifouling products after restrictions were imposed on the use of tributyltin (TBT). The replacement products are generally based on copper metal oxides and organic biocides. The biocides that are most commonly used in antifouling paints include chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, DCOIT (4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, Sea-nine 211®), Diuron, Irgarol 1051, TCMS pyridine (2,3,3,6-tetrachloro-4-methylsulfonyl pyridine), zinc pyrithione and Zineb. There are two types of risks associated with the use of biocides in aquaculture: (i) predators and humans may ingest the fish and shellfish that have accumulated in these contaminants and (ii) the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This paper provides an overview of the effects of antifouling (AF) biocides on aquatic organisms. It also provides some insights into the effects and risks of these compounds on non-target organisms.

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Prevention of Marine Biofouling Using the Natural Allelopathic Compound Batatasin-III and Synthetic Analogues

“…This compound degrades rapidly in the ocean, and is employed in antifouling paint formulations. 40,41 The ability of the compounds to interfere with surface adhesion and growth (A and G respectively in Table 2 below) of the microalage Cylindrotheca closterium, Halamphora coffeaeformis, Pleurochrysis roscoffensis, Porphyridium purpureum is presented in Table 2. With the exception of compounds 6, 18 and 20, all the investigated compounds displayed a high general inhibitory activity against microalgae.…”

Determinacion y evaluacion de los componentes presentes en las pinturas anti incrustantes utilizadas en la acuicultura y sus posibles efectos en sedimentos marinos del sur de Chile

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