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

Authors: Federico Delucchi, Maite Andrea Narvarte, Oscar Amin, Norma Beatriz Tombesi, Hugo Freije, Jorge Marcovecchio

Addresses: Area de Oceanografia Quimica, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografia (IADO), CONICET. Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Edificio E-1. CC 804, B8000FWB Bahia Blanca, Argentina. ' Instituto de Biologia Marina y Pesquera ''Almirante Storni'', Av. Guemes 1030, R8520CXV San Antonio Oeste, Rio Negro, Argentina. ' Centro Austral de Investigaciones Cientificas (CADIC), CONICET. Bernardo A. Houssay 200, CC. 92, V9410CAB Ushuaia – Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. ' Quimica Ambiental, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Av. Alem 1253, B8000CPB, Bahia Blanca, Argentina. ' Quimica Ambiental, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Av. Alem 1253, B8000CPB, Bahia Blanca, Argentina. ' Area de Oceanografia Quimica, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografia (IADO), CONICET. Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Edificio E-1. CC 804, B8000FWB Bahia Blanca, Argentina

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. 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 Bahia Blanca estuary, San Antonio Bay and Ushuaia Bay were sampled to determine TBT and dibutyltin (DBT) concentration. The butyltin compounds were identified and quantified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS). 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; dibutyltin; TBT pollution; tributyltin; gas chromatography; mass spectrometry; Bahia Blanca estuary; San Antonio bay; Ushuaia bay; Argentina; toxic compounds; marine pollution; water pollution; biocide; antifouling paints.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2011.040962

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2011 Vol.8 No.1/2, pp.3 - 17

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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