Effects of environmental and surface factors on settlement and adhesion of the barnacle Balanus amphrite

Abstract

Biofouling is a substantial problem for the maritime industry. Organisms growing on underwater surfaces increase drag on ships’ hulls and damage coastal machinery. Billions of dollars are spent annually on mitigating fouling. The tropical barnacle (Balanus amphitrite) is a major fouling species. This thesis investigates the effects of some of the major environmental controls for this benthic species, (surface chemistry, temperature and food availability), on the adhesion and adhesives of two of its life cycle stages, the settlement-stage cypris larva (the final larval stage of barnacles) and the adult.