Barnacle settlement behavior on controled micro-textured surfaces

It is necessary to avoid settlement of marine life in cooling system of power station and on ship bottom. There are two factors which affect settlement of barnacles, such as mechanical and chemical factors. Cyprid larvae swim around and explore favorite surface with their first antennas. When they detect the surface, they test it and settle on. This study focused on the relationship between the micro-texture of substrate surface and settlement behavior. The number of settlement of barnacles on controlled micro-textured surfaces and polished surface was measured with a specially developed laboratory testing cell. Results showed that the surface topography strongly affects the settlement behavior of barnacles. This suggests that the existence of optimum surface topography discourages larval settlement.