Blue-antifouling: Inovação Sustentável contra Bioincrustação em Equipamentos Navais

Seaweed is a natural source of alginate, a substance composed of alginic acid unitsand calcium ions, known for its gelling capacity. This material induces self-association,forming stable micelles that create a hydrated layer on the surfaces of vessels,providing resistance to biofouling. The hydrogel can be crosslinked through physicalmixing or by combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers, based on the principlesof ecological chemistry. Blue-antifouling represents an innovation in its applicability,being a high-performance non-biocidal product that uses hydrodynamic principles toprevent biofouling in submerged structures. In addition, monitoring macroalgae bloomareas can boost the promotion of the bioeconomy, contributing to the advancement ofresearch in the areas of Marine Science and Technology.