Silikonbaserad båtbottenfärg. Ett alternativ till konventionella färger - funktionsmässigt såväl som miljömässigt

Sammanfattning: The settlement of marine organisms on boat hulls – known as biofouling – is a major concern in boating and over the years more or less environmentally harmful substances have been used to prevent it. However, the concept of biocide-free, so called foul-release coatings (FRC) that change the surface properties of the boat hull has gained more attention recently. In the present literature study, I have investigated if silicone-based FRCs could serve as satisfactory substitutes to biocidal antifouling coatings by analyzing available toxicity data and functionality assays. However, since the chemical compositions of these foul-release coatings are proprietary and not public, this study focuses on the main component polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Results from previous studies have shown that PDMS exhibit no or little toxicity to marine organisms. Nevertheless, if PDMS is released into the marine environment due to leaking silicone oils, because of their physiochemical properties such as low water solubility, benthic filter feeders and zooplankton could be immobilized or suffocated. Yet, previous research results indicate that no silicone FRCs used today suffer from this leakage problem and thus the risk would be considered insignificant. In addition to the literature study, an interview-based survey among boat owners in Höganäs was performed in order to investigate their knowledge of silicone paints. Results were in line with my hypothesis – very few knew about this alleged, environmentally friendly alternative. Interestingly, not even respondents who said that the environment was the most important factor when choosing paint knew about these silicone paints. In conclusion, my results suggest that there is considerable evidence for the advantages of these silicone coatings – from an environmental as well as from a functional perspective. However, in order to make a complete transition to biocide-free FRCs, legislative measures and information campaigns are needed.