Marine Microcosm Experiments on Effects of Copper and Tributylin-Based Antifouling Paint Leachates
Abstract
A broad spectrum of marine plants and animals were excluded from flowthrough seawater microcosms by chronic exposures to TBTO (tributyltin) derived from antifouling paints. Rapid recovery of leachate-treated microcosms demonstrated that residual organotins were depurated quickly from sediments and/ or had low toxicity. Community metabolic studies showed that the net impact on organic productivity of bottom-living harbor organisms would probably be minimal at sub-microgram/L TBTO concentrations. Gobiid fish and sea cucumbers experienced significant uptake of organotin-Sn over 2- to 3-month exposures to 0.8 microgram organotin-Sn/L. Sediments took up organotin-Sn at a nearly constant rate during a 3-month exposure to 0.8 microgram organotin-Sn/L, and rapidly released about 50 percent of absorbed tin in a 3-month depuration period. Two species of coral were found to be very sensitive indicators of total organotin concentrations. Toxic responses of corals indicated that, on a molar basis, TBTO-Sn was at least 10 times more toxic than copper. Keywords: Antifouling paint, Organotin paint leachates, Marine microcosms, Benthic organisms, Harbor pollutants, Tributyltin. (JES)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA199368
Entities
People
- R. S. Henderson