The RAS project entitled “Efficacy, degradation and environmental risks of new biocide-free anti-fouling coatings for boats” is funded by ANSES (ANSES-25-EST-213). This project (2026–2028) is led by Prof. Jérôme Cachot and involves five research groups, including the Aquatic Ecotoxicology and ECOBIOC teams from the EPOC Joint Research Unit.
This project aims to evaluate the anti-fouling properties, degradation, and physico-chemical, chemical and biological risks of six new-generation biocide-free anti-fouling coatings, which are potential alternatives to biocide-containing boat anti-fouling paints. The antifouling activity of the various coatings will be assessed in the laboratory by measuring the adhesion of model bacteria and microalgae, and in situ by monitoring the attachment of native and non-native species, as well as that of pathogenic microorganisms or viruses. The degradation of the various coatings will be studied under laboratory conditions following UV treatment and leaching, as well as under field conditions with the coatings immersed for 6 months in the Arcachon basin. The degradation products released (additives and particles) will be characterised and quantified in the leachates and/or in the environment (sediments and mussels).
The surface condition of the coatings will be monitored over time using a combination of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Finally, the ecotoxicity of these materials will be assessed in the laboratory and in the field using a multi-species (target and non-target) and multi-marker approach at different levels of biological organisation, in order to account for species-specific sensitivity and low-dose cocktail effects. This innovative project is expected to provide new data on the efficacy, behaviour and environmental risk of these new biocide-free anti-fouling coatings for boats, thereby helping to inform public policy in the nautical sector and the conservation of aquatic environments.