Investigations are proceeding into the nature of the cement used by 

 barnacles and by mussels to attach themselves to natural and man-made 

 substrates. This cement is extremely strong and chemically quite inert. 

 If a stable surface could be provided which chemically prevented the 

 setting of the cement or which subsequently dissolved it, then no 

 significant hard, calcarious fouling would be possible. These agents, to 

 be effective, must be more general than specific. 



IV-55 



