A simple method to evaluate the potential for degradation of antifouling biocides

A simple method to measure the degradation of antifouling biocides is described which measures the loss of biocidal activity from seawater by bioassay. The bioassay employs either the ship-fouling diatom Amphora or the brine shrimp Artemia. Loss of bioactivity from sterile seawater indicates abiotic degradation whilst loss of bioactivity from natural seawater indicates biodegradation. Results are presented for three biocides, viz, the trihalomethylthio compound, N-dichlorofluoromethylthio-N',N'-dimethyl-N-phenyl-sulphamide (Preventol A4S), di-n-octylamine, and the isothiazolone compound 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isorhiazolin-3-one (Sea-Nine 211).