Abstract
High concentrations of copper and tributyltin, two biocides used in antifouling paints, are found in harbors. Efforts are necessary to reduce the adverse impact of biocides from antifouling paints, but little is known about the actual use of such material. I surveyed the operators of 435 boats berthed in San Diego Bay, to determine what paints and maintenance procedures were being used.
More than 90% of the respondents used conventional leaching paints. These paints contain 40% to 65% copper compounds and 3% to 7% tributyltin compounds. Few respondents used copolymer paints. Those who did use copolymer paints seemed to repaint less frequently than those using conventional leaching paints.
Professional maintenance companies do not initiate repainting as frequently as individuals doing their own maintenance.
It appears that the input of antifouling biocides to harbor waters could be reduced by at least one-third simply by educating boat-owners about the chemical mechanisms involved in antifouling paints, by explaining the environmental and economic advantages of using slow-release paints, and by encouraging them not to repaint until their paint's useful life has expired.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Alzieu, C., and M. Heral. 1984. Ecotoxicological effects of organotin compounds on oyster culture. Pages 187–196in G. Personne, E. Jaspers, and C. Claus (eds.), Ecotoxicological testing for the marine environment, vol. 1. State University of Ghent, Ghent, and Institute for Marine Scientific Research, Bredene, Belgium.
Anderson, C. D., and R. Dalley. 1986. Use of Organotins in antifouling paints.Oceans '86 4:1108–1113.
Caprari, J. J., O. Slutzky, P. L. Pessi, and V. Rascio. 1986. A study of the leaching of cuprous oxide from vinyl antifouling paints.Progress in Organic Coatings 13:431–444.
Champ, M. A. 1986. Organotin symposium: introduction and overview.Oceans '86 4:1093–1100.
Dixon, W. J. (ed.). 1985. BMDP statistical software. University of California Press, Berkeley. 734 pp.
Kuch, P. J. 1986. Survey of antifouling paint use at boatyards and shipyards.Oceans '86 4:1114–1116.
Short, J. W., and F. P. Thrower. 1986. Accumulation of butylins in muscle tissue of chinook salmon reared in sea pens treated with tri-n-butyltin.Oceans '86 4:1177–1181.
Stang, P. M., and P. F. Seligman. 1986. Distribution and fate of butyltin compounds in the sediment of San Diego Bay, California.Oceans '86. 4:1256–1261.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nichols, J.A. Antifouling paints: Use on boats in San Diego Bay and a way to minimize adverse impacts. Environmental Management 12, 243–247 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01873393
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01873393