Development of Antibacterial and Antifouling Innovative and Eco-Sustainable Sol–Gel Based Materials: From Marine Areas Protection to Healthcare Applications

Bacterial colonization of surfaces is the leading cause of deterioration and contaminations. Fouling and bacterial settlement led to damaged coatings, allowing microorganisms to fracture and reach the inner section. Therefore, effective treatment of surface damaged material is helpful to detach bio-settlement from the surface and prevent deterioration. Moreover, surface coatings can withdraw biofouling and bacterial colonization due to inherent biomaterial characteristics, such as superhydrophobicity, avoiding bacterial resistance. Fouling was a past problem, yet its untargeted toxicity led to critical environmental concerns, and its use became forbidden. As a response, research shifted focus approaching a biocompatible alternative such as exciting developments in antifouling and antibacterial solutions and assessing their antifouling and antibacterial performance and practical feasibility. This review introduces state-of-the-art antifouling and antibacterial materials and solutions for several applications. In particular, this paper focuses on antibacterial and antifouling agents for concrete and cultural heritage conservation, antifouling sol–gel-based coatings for filtration membrane technology, and marine protection and textile materials for biomedicine. In addition, this review discusses the innovative synthesis technologies of antibacterial and antifouling solutions and the consequent socio-economic implications. The synthesis and the related physico-chemical characteristics of each solution are discussed. In addition, several characterization techniques and different parameters that influence the surface finishing coatings deposition were also described.

Community Local Wisdom and Efforts to Create Quality Marine Tourism

Marine tourism has the potential to develop various activities because it is supported by nature, culture and tourist activities. However, coastal and marine areas are vulnerable to damage and over exploitation. Various problems encountered in coastal and marine areas, such as garbage, damage to coral reefs, excessive fish management, social problems, conflicts of interest or limited governance. Local wisdom has a fundamental role as a way of life for people in preserving civilization. Likewise, the roles and efforts of stakeholders to participate in contributing to monitoring and providing protection for coastal and marine areas so that they can provide sustainable benefits. This research uses a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods, especially the explanatory sequential mixed method. Data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative, Importance Performance Analysis and Customer Satisfaction Index. Data were collected by observation, questionnaires, and interviews by raising several cases in Indonesian territory related to local wisdom from a cultural perspective, the role of NGOs from a nature conservation perspective, and tourism assessment from a tourist market perspective. Local wisdom from a cultural perspective, a community that has potential and a central role in conservation and preservation efforts, resource development and science and technology that can be passed on to the next generation based on knowledge, values, skills, resources, decision-making and local solidarity. Stakeholders in terms of nature protection have a major role and potential contribution by supporting, implementing, advocating, engaging and influencing, and having a high commitment to realizing responsible and sustainable tourism. From a tourism point of view, it has several weaknesses related to the quality of tourist attractions in indicators, management, amenities and value for money, so that efforts are needed to improve the quality and variety of products, professional management, and various tourism activity innovations that have the value of novelty and meaningfulness for tourists.

Analysis of modern hull structures dry cargo ships-representatives

The results of the analysis of the design of hull structures of modern dry cargo vessels-representatives of inland and mixed ("river-sea") navigation in comparison with classical vessels built in the twentieth century are presented. The characteristic damages of hull structures are considered, recommendations are given on the design of the main hull connections in accordance with the requirements of the Russian River Register (RRR) and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (MRS). It is noted that, taking into account the existing cargo flows on water transport, the hulls of inland navigation vessels of early construction are being modernized for operation in coastal marine areas. It is shown that, taking into account the aging of the fleet in modern conditions, a significant role is assigned to the construction of "super-full" vessels of internal and mixed ("river-sea") navigation, capable of delivering various cargoes without intermediate transshipment from seaports to river ports of the country.

THE APPLICATION OF FUZZY AHP – VIKOR HYBRID METHOD TO INVESTIGATE THE STRATEGY FOR REDUCING AIR POLLUTION FROM DIESEL POWERED VESSELS

The negative impact of air pollution on human health had become a vital issue as a result of the increasing use of fossil fuels in recent years. In this context, maritime transportation is one of the most contaminant sectors by using much more fossil fuels. Ships which have a major role in maritime transport, directly affect human health via its emissions, especially in marine areas close to the land such as around the ports, canals, and straits. In this study, strategies were gathered by evaluating International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, European Union (EU) recommendations and the applications of the ship owner companies to reduce air pollution stem from ships, and considering the priority perception of these strategies, the effect level of the strategies at the marine areas where ships are approaching the land was analysed by the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process-Visekriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (AHP- VIKOR) hybrid method. As a result of the study, the most effective strategies appeared as “Forbiddance of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) usage on Ships” and “Detection of Low Sulphur Fuel Usage by the help of Remote Detector Systems”, and it was seen that these strategies would be most effective in canal or strait passing of the ships. It was also revealed that the relevant expert opinions and IMO regulations meshed together, and it was pointed out the applications for increasing fuel quality.

The South American Advances in Submarine Canyons Studies and Their Link to the Ocean Decade

Submarine canyons have a relevant role in marine ecosystems. They are responsible for oceanographic conditions such as variability of temperature and salinity, sediment transport, nutrients, and even pollutants amongst marine areas. Submarine canyon studies have been growing and reaching prominence due to their importance in the Blue Economy. Initiatives to promote sustainable development for the ocean have been discussed in the Ocean Decade. Although canyons studies are increasing, how can we integrate these with the Ocean Decade outcomes? Thus, we aim to demonstrate an overview of the advances of submarine canyons studies and their link to the Ocean Decade for South America. We analyzed 160 studies divided into spatiotemporal analysis and study approaches according to the Ocean Decade outcomes. We discuss these articles, building a timeline and argumentative topics considering the advances, and discuss gaps to predict the future of submarine canyons studies in the Ocean Decade and Blue Economy context.