Environmental aspects of tributyltin

Abstract

The tributyltin species, the active ingredient in some antifouling paint formulations, is perhaps the most acutely toxic chemical to aquatic organisms ever deliberately introduced to water. It has been demonstrated to have an adverse effect on shellfish in France and England, and as a consequence the use of tributyltin‐containing antifouling paints has been restricted in these countries. Other countries have banned the use of tributyltin‐containing antifouling paints or are contemplating restrictions. This article reviews such environmental aspects of tributyltin as methods of analysis, toxicity, environmental occurrence, persistence and fate. Tributyltin concentrations in many locations may be high enough to cause chronic toxicity or harmful effects in some aquatic organisms, and in some locations the tributyltin concentrations may be high enough to be acutely toxic to some organisms. Biological degradation of tributyltin in water and sediment appears to be the most important factor limiting the persistence of tributyltin in aquatic environments. To some degree, then, the persistence of tributyltin in aquatic environments depends upon the nature of the ecosystem. Tributyltin exhibits low‐to‐medium persistence in water and moderate persistence in sediment. A summary is given of the regulatory status of tributyltin in some countries, and recommendations are made for further research.

Organotin compounds in surface sediments from seaports on the Gulf of Gdańsk (southern Baltic coast)

“…Nevertheless, the results of principal component analysis (Fig. 3b) generally is in agreement with the existing knowledge of the impact of aerobic conditions or salinity on the fate of organotins in the environment (Hoch 2001;Maguire 1987;Radke et al 2008b). The PCA data matrix model explains 85% of the total variation with the first two principal components.…”

“…Both tributyltin and triphenyltin are recognized as the one of the most hazardous substances that have deliberately been released into the marine environment (HELCOM 2010). Organotin compounds decompose rapidly in seawater but tend to adsorb on particles and aggregates in sediments, where degradation processes are considerably slower and may last for years (Evans 1999;Hoch 2001;Maguire 1987). They are still bioavailable as a result of their resuspension, diffusion into the water column or decomposition (Díez et al 2002).…”

Organotin compounds and aquatic bacteria: A review

“…1991~ Spiegel et al, 1985. Concentrations of TBT and its degradation products dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) are higher in harbours and marinas than in open water (Alzieu et al, 1990;Cullen et aL, 1990;Maguire, 1987;Wuertz et al, 1991;Thompson et al, 1985;, as expected, since TBT leaches from antifouling paints.…”

“…Tin may have more of its organometallic derivatives in use than any other element (Blunden et al, 1984;Champ, 1986;Davies & Smith, 1982;Maguire, 1987). Other organotins are widely used in industry and agriculture.…”

“…In the aquatic environment, organic and inorganic tin compounds can be concentrated as much as 10000-fold in the surface microlayer and up to 4000 times in oily sediments (Cfeary & Stebbing, 1985;Maguire, 1987;Maguire & Tkacz. 1987).…”