Organotin compounds in sediments of three coastal environments from the Patagonian shore, Argentina.

DELUCCHI, F.; NARVARTE, M.A.; AMIN, O.; TOMBESI, N.B.; FREIJE, R.H.; MARCOVECCHIO, J.E.

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management (IJEWM)

Inderscience Publishers

Año: 2011 vol. 8 p. 3 - 17

1478-9868

  Abstract: One of the most toxic compounds that have been introduced into the marine environment is Tributyltin (TBT) used as a biocide in antifouling paints to avoid the hull roughness which affects the ship performance and therefore its fuel consumption. The aim of this study was to obtain the first information of TBT pollution in sediments of three environments of the Argentinean coastline. Sediments from the Bahía Blanca estuary, San Antonio Bay and Ushuaia Bay were sampled to determine TBT and DBT concentration. The sediments were pre-treated using ultrasound assisted methanolic digestion and the organotin compounds were extracted and derivatized. Then the butyltin compounds were identified and quantified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. DBT and TBT were detected in all sites of the evaluated environments.  The different amount of organotin compounds detected shows dissimilar pollution levels and degradation processes along the Argentinean coasts. Keywords: organotin compounds; coastal environments; sediments; Patagonian shore; DBT; TBT; GC-MS; Bahía Blanca estuary; San Antonio bay; Ushuaia bay.