Copper antifouling paint

Metal Linoleates and Resinates. The calcium and cobalt salts of Hnoleates and resinates are used chiefly as components of metallic driers used in printing inks. Copper Hnoleate [7721-15-5] is used in antifouling paints for marine use (4). 

Copper is the active agent in many antifouling paints applied to watercraft (Aaseth and Norseth 1986 Hall et al. 1988). The growing use of copper-based paints subsequent to the prohibition in 1982 of tributyltin-based paints (Hall et al. 1988) is associated with elevated copper concentrations in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) farmed in the Bay of Arcachon, France (Claisse and Alzieu 1993). 

Copper concentrations in air, soil, water, sediments, and other abiotic materials are elevated as a result of human activities, especially near copper smelters and mines, urban areas, municipal and industrial wastewater outfalls, marinas containing copper-based antifouling paints, and agricultural soils receiving prolonged applications of copper-based fungicides (Table 3.2). Maximum copper... 

Claisse, D. and C. Alzieu. 1993. Copper contamination as a result of antifouling paint regulations Mar. Pollut. Bull. 26 395-397. 

The amount of biocides needed in an antifouling paint will be determined by actual tests performed in real life. A rule of thumb says that the minimum level of protection with copper is a leaching rate of 10 pg/(cm2 day) (WHOI, 1952). The amount of cuprous oxide can be up to 40 wt % of an antifouling paint and it is normally assisted by booster biocides (5 to 10 wt %) to provide full protection against both animals and algae. The amount of biocides will be based on practical performance and, at the same time, be restricted to given legislation. 

Katranitsas, A., Castritsi-Catharios, J., Persoone, G. The effects of copper-based antifouling paint on mortality and enzymatic activity of a non-target marine organism. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 46 (2003), 1491-1494... 

Valkirs, A.O., Seligman, P.F., Haslbeck, E., Caso, J.S. Measurement of copper release rates from antifouling paint under laboratory and in situ conditions implications for loading estimation to marine water bodies. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 46 (6) (2003) 763-779. 

An important application of copper(I) oxide is in antifouling paints for steel, wood, and other materials exposed to sea water. Other applications include manufacture of ruby-red glass and preparation of miscellaneous copper salts. It also is used as a reducing agent in brazing pastes as a fungicide in photocells and as a catalyst. 

Copper(II) sulfide is used in antifouling paints in andine black dye for dyeing of fabrics and in the preparation of catalysts for organic reactions. It occurs in nature as the mineral coveUite. 

The withdrawal of a number of copper-containing antifouling paints for pleasure boats and marine vessels in the Baltic, based on alleged minor environmental effects localized to marinas, led to a number of protests to the Swedish government. Although the government upheld the mandated withdrawals, these restrictions will likely also be appealed to the EU Commission and then further to the European Court of Justice. 

The applications of copper complexes are extremely varied and of great importance. Many of them are relevant to other chapters of this volume. Of those pertaining to this chapter, the two most important areas are polymer additives and, particularly, fungicides. The latter may be divided into four main areas crop protection, the protection of wood and that of cotton, and their use in antifouling paints. 

Cu2(02CMe)4(H20)2, which has the binuclear tetraacetate bridged structure typical of a number of metal(II) acetates, is a stabilizer for various polymers. Copper(II) gluconate, Cu[02C CH(0H) 4CH20H]2, is used as a deodorant. Copper(II) soaps, mainly the oleate and stearate, find application in antifouling paints, and as fungicides for textiles. A summary in tabular form of all applications of simple salts and complexes of copper is available.96... 

In the next risk/benefit analysis performed in 1998 the approval and use of antifouling paints was further restricted much due to new information on the risks of copper in less saline waters (e.g. Andersson and Kautsky 1996 KemI 1998a, b). It was decided that none of the copper leaking anti-fouling paints would be allowed for use... 

Today in Sweden, the active substances used in anti-fouling preparations for use on pleasure boats on the west coast are mainly different kinds of copper compounds alone or in combination with the herbicide irgarol. For larger boats (>12 m), antifouling paints containing the biocides zinc pyrithione and isothiazoline are also allowed for use. 

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