Barnacles and the attachments

Abstract

Barnacles are invertebrate sea animals, which are classified as members of Arthropods of the Infraclass Cirripedia in the Subphylum Crustacea. They tend to spend their lives in shallow and tidal waters. There are many types depending on their living environments. They are nonmotile and suspension feeders. However, barnacle larvae, a micro plankton type, are able to swim. The stage the larvae grow into adults and attach themselves to surfaces in the sea causes a fouling condition. The Royal Thai Navy prefers to use antifouling paint containing copper oxide to protect barnacles and marine plants. For a while anyway, deterioration of this paints will occur so it is the suitable time for maintenance ship and operation checking at the same time. Scientists and oceanographers have tried to find solutions to the problem employing methodologies in physics, chemistry as well as biology and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, those should be used to determine which method is best suited for a job.