Geochemistry of Tributyltin in Coastal Waters: An Experiment in a Merl Mesocosm

Author

David Adelman, University of Rhode Island

Date of Award

1988

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Oceanography

Specialization

Marine and Atmospheric Chemistry

Department

Oceanography

First Advisor

M.E.Q. Pilson

Abstract

Tributyltin is effective at controlling fouling organisms on vessels' hulls when used as an additive in marine paints. Its effectiveness is due to its extreme toxicity to fouling organisms after it is released from the paint. Unfortunately, it is also toxic to some nontarget organisms at concentrations approaching one part per trillion. After leaching from the hull of a vessel, the rates of degradation and transport from the water column have important implications for estuarine ecosystems, but the processes involved in these removal mechanisms are poorly understood. Using radiolabeled tributyltin, in a 13 m³ mesocosm, the processes of degradation and transportation were monitored. The total removal rate was found to be 6 to 20% per day. The primary mechanisms consisted of: biodegradation (40%); transport to the sediment (35%); and transport to the atmosphere (25%). Biodegradation proceeded primarily through the process of debutylation to dibutyltin, which in turn degraded to monobutyltin. In addition to this degradation sequence, the data suggested that a degradation pathway from tributyltin directly to monobutyltin may have been important. Transport to the sediment was accelerated by adsorbtion to suspended particles. The distribution coefficients between suspended particles and water (in units of [μg/kg] / [μg/L]) were found to be; (60n ± 30) (10)³ for tributyltin; (30 ± 20) (10)³ for dibutlytin; and (2.9 ± 0.5) (10)³ for monobutyltin. Tributyltin also accumulated in the surface layer of the water column, implying that transport to the atmosphere may have been an important removal process. A concentration as high as of 1.7 ± 0.3 μg/L was found. This value was 3 times the concentration measured in the underlying water column.

Recommended Citation

Adelman, David, "Geochemistry of Tributyltin in Coastal Waters: An Experiment in a Merl Mesocosm" (1988). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 867.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/867