Innovating Environmentally Sustainable Materials Platforms by Harnessing Coastal Marine Tunicates

Abstract

The most influential technological innovations and societal progress lie at the intersection of scientific disciplines. Today, more than ever, biology assumes a more central and participatory role at this confluence. Within the context of this scientific inter-disciplinarity, the current effort was undertaken to explore the ecology of invasive tunicates, marine invertebrates increasingly considered a nuisance to the ecology of coastal ecosystems, yet potentially a resource for diverse applications in materials chemistry, construction, composites, and engineering. The intention of this perspective is to stimulate conversation and discussion with respect to benthic tunicates, a valuable yet underappreciated biological resource, which can be converted to cellulose nanocrystals, one of the most important bio-based materials sourced today. It will also attempt to consolidate current understandings of the ecology of tunicates and how potential material exploitation can be mutually compatible and compliant with efforts to protect coastal ecosystems and aquaculture which are currently inundated or threatened by invasive tunicates.

Keywords: Coastal ecosystems; Nanotechnology; Natural products; Sustainable chemistry; Tunicates.

Figure 1

Tunicate (Clavelina oblonga), an invasive marine fouling species grow on the underside of floating docks in the port of Morehead City, NC. Courtesy of NCSU News.

Figure 2

Internal anatomy of a generalized tunicate.

Figure 3

A schematic representation of cellulose synthesis in the hemocoel and epidermis of tunicates.

Figure 4

Cross‐section of elementary crystallites of tunicate cellulose crystallites. The short bars indicate the projection of cellulose molecules.

Figure 5

Location of the C. oblonga was introduced to the Morehead City, NC area in Beaufort, NC, US.