Effects of barnacle attachment on the durability of marine buildings: A review

Marine structures suffer from accelerated degradation due to exposure to high salinity, high humidity, and wet-dry cycles. Barnacles, which are naturally presented in and adapted to harsh marine environments, have exhibited the potential of biological protection for marine structures, improving long-term durability. Aiming to leverage barnacles as a sustainable solution, this paper systematically reviews the biological characteristics of barnacles and their attachment processes, elucidates the molecular composition of barnacle cement and the mechanisms of underwater adhesion, and discusses the scientific basis of barnacle attachment in protecting marine buildings. This paper reveals complex interactions between barnacles and marine buildings, streamlines fundamental understandings, identifies new opportunities, and offers new insights into engineering applications for promoting the interdisciplinary collaboration of marine biology and engineering efforts. This review advances the development and application of barnacle-inspired solutions for improving durability of marine buildings.