Bacterial colonisation and settlement of algal spores and barnacle larvae on low surface energy materials

Melt-coated films of poly(fluoroalkylacrylate)s and poly(fluoroalkylmethacrylate)s have been exposed respectively to bacterial cultures (Pseudomonas spp., Alteromonas sp. NCIMB 1534 and Desulphovibrio alaskensis NCIMB 13491), Enteromorpha zoospores and cyprid larvae of Balanus amphitrite Darwin. In all experiments, settlement and development was considerably less on the films than on controls of glass, poly(methylmethacrylate), poly(tetrafluoroethene) (ptfe) and polyester/glassfibre composite. The settled bacteria were also much more weakly attached to the fluoropolymer films than to the controls. Enteromorpha zoospores tended to settle at surface faults/cracks and also showed some sensitivity to the fluorine content of the materials. Cyprids did not settle on ptfe and could find only occasional sights for attachment on the films. Although the fluoropolymers show promise as fouling-resistant coatings, improvements in film quality are required.