A non-toxic antifouling compound for marine paints

Laboratory tests with the common barnacle Balanus amphitrite showed narcoti c effect on nauplii, cyprids and adults of a solution of sodium benzoate in artificial sea water. This effect was foster as the concentration of sodiu m benzoate was increased. Field trials confirmed it was successful in preve nting barnacle deposition on soluble matrix paints formulated with sodium b enzoate as the antifouling agent. These results indicate the potential bio- activity of sodium benzoate on fouling organisms.