Accession Number:

ADA214583

Title:

Distribution and Fate of Tributyltin in the United States Marine Environment

Descriptive Note:

Professional paper

Corporate Author:

NAVAL OCEAN SYSTEMS CENTER SAN DIEGO CA

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1989-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

1.0

Abstract:

Tributyltin TBT has been measured in water in 12 of 15 harbors studied during U.S. Navy baseline surveys. The highest concentrations of TBT some exceeding laboratory toxicity limits have been found in yacht harbors and near vessel repair facilities. Many sites 75 in harbors and estuaries had no detectable 5 ng dm-3 TBT. TBT monitoring studies with increased detection limits l ng dm-3 have documented a high degree of TBT variability associated with tide, season and intermittent point source discharges. Although yacht harbors were shown to be the principal TBT source in most regions, dry-docks can be significant sources. Degradation half-lives were always in the range of 4-19 days, providing evidence that TBT has a longer residence time in sediment with a half-life of several months. Tributyltin is primarily in the dissolved form in unfiltered seawater, although the association with particulate fractions may increase in samples collected near yacht repair facilities. Partition coefficients for particulate TBT versus bulk water are frequently near 3000 and vary with the particulate concentration, salinity and presence of natural organics. Keywords Marine fouling DD 1473 only Environmental impact statement Antifouling coatings Organotins Tributyltin.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

  • Toxicology
  • Coatings, Colorants and Finishes

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE


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