A major threat to wood is the biological degradation hazard from marine wood-boring invertebrates such as the isopod,
Limnoria, and Teredinid bivalve, also known as the shipworm. The cost of restoration or repair of wooden structures that have been damaged by marine wood-borers reaches billions of dollars every year. In response, preservative treatments or modification is required to protect wood from biodeterioration, which have traditionally included the use of broad-spectrum biocides, e.g. chromated copper arsenate and creosote. To restrict the use of these biocides in the marine environment, legislation has been implemented in the UK, USA, EU and Australia. Alternatively, chemical modification, such as furfurylation, protects wood against damage by marine wood-borers. To investigate the efficacy of these treatments against the marine wood-borers, we have developed a rapid laboratory test, allowing results to be achieved quickly and inexpensively.
Keywords: Limnoria, Teredinid, wood-borer, furfurylation
Authors
Lucy Martin
University of Portsmouth, Institute of Marine Science, Ferry Rd, Portsmouth, UK
Irene Guarneri
Istituto di Scienze Marine- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Castello, Italy
Laura Michie
University of Portsmouth, Institute of Marine Science, Ferry Rd, Portsmouth, UK
Mangrove Action Project, Seattle, USA
Mats Westin
ISE Research Institute of Sweden, Dept for Material and Surface Design, Borås, Sweden
Stig Lande
Kebony ASA, Skien, Norway
Simon Cragg
University of Portsmouth, Institute of Marine Science, Ferry Rd, Portsmouth, UK
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