Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Butyltin Contamination in Industrialized Bays Associated with Intensive Marine Activities in Korea

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Marine sediments and gastropod, Thais clavigera, were collected from industrialized areas and major harbors in Korea, to assess contamination sources and ecological risk to marine organisms by butyltin compounds such as tributyltin (TBT). TBT concentrations in sediments ranged from <LOD to 5372 ng Sn/g dry weight, and were comparable to or higher than concentrations in big harbors of other countries. The highest TBT concentrations were found in sediments close to shipyards in surveyed bays, suggesting that shipyard activities are a major contamination source of butyltins in Korean coastal waters. About half of the sediments showed potential risk of exceeding the guidelines and values proposed in in vivo studies. The occurrence of imposex in T. clavigera was 100% at all locations, indicating that the present levels of TBT contamination in industrialized bays in Korea are at concentrations reported to induce toxic effects on marine organisms, despite TBT’s having been legally banned in Korea.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amouroux D, Tessier E, Donard OFX (2000) Volatilization of organotin compounds from estuarine and coastal environments. Environ Sci Technol 34:988–995. doi:10.1021/es981025p

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berto D, Giani M, Boscolo R, Covelli S, Giovanardi O, Massironi M, Grassia L (2007) Organotins (TBT and DBT) in water, sediments, and gastropods of the southern Venice lagoon (Italy). Mar Pollut Bull 55:425–435. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.09.005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhosle NB, Garg A, Harji R, Jadhav S, Sawant SS, Krishnamurthy V, Anil C (2006) Butyltins in the sediments of Kochi and Mumbai harbours, west coast of India. Environ Int 32:252–258. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2005.08.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biselli S, Bester K, Huhnerfuss H, Fent K (2000) Concentrations of the antifouling compound Irgarol 1051 and of organotins in water and sediments of German North and Baltic Sea marinas. Mar Pollut Bull 40:233–243. doi:10.1016/S0025-326X(99)00177-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blackmore G (2000) Imposex in Thais clavigera (neogastropoda) as an indicator of TBT (tributyltin) biovailability in coastal waters of Hong Kong. J Moll Stud 66:1–8. doi:10.1093/mollus/66.1.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burton ED, Phillips IR, Hawker DW (2004) Sorption and desorption behavior of tributyltin with natural sediments. Environ Sci Technol 38:6694–6700. doi:10.1021/es049291s

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burton ED, Phillips IR, Hawker DW (2005) In-situ partitioning of butyltin compounds in estuarine sediments. Chemosphere 59:585–592. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.10.067

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burton ED, Phillips IR, Hawker DW (2006) Tributyltin partitioning in sediments: effect of aging. Chemosphere 63:73–81. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.07.048

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chan KM, Leung KMY, Cheung KC, Wong MH, Qiu JW (2008) Seasonal changes in imposex and tissue burden of butyltin compounds in Thais clavigera populations along the coastal area of Mirs Bay, China. Mar Pollut Bull 57:645–651. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.02040

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi M, Choi HG, Kim SS, Moon HB (2005) Evaluation of sewage-derived organic matter using fecal sterols in the sediments from Ulsan Bay and adjacent areas. J Korean Environ Sci 41:23–32 (in Korean)

    Google Scholar 

  • Choi M, Choi HG, Moon HB, Kim GY (2008) Spatial and temporal distribution of tributyltin (TBT) in seawater, sediments and bivalves from coastal areas of Korea during 2001–2005. Environ Monitor Assess. doi:10.1007/s10661-008-0271-0

  • Devos C, Vliegen M, Willaert B, David F, Moens L, Sandra P (2005) Automated head space-solid-phase microextraction-retention time locked-isotope dilution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for the analysis of organotin compounds in water and sediment samples. J Chromatogr A 1079:408–414. doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2004.12.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diez S, Lacorte S, Viana P, Barcel D, Bayona JM (2005) Survey of organotin compounds in rivers and coastal environments in Portugal 1999–2000. Environ Pollut 136:525–536. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2004.12.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diez S, Jover E, Albaiges J, Bayona JM (2006) Occurrence and degradation of butyltins and wastewater marker compounds in sediments from Barcelona harbor, Spain. Environ Int 32:858–865. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2006.05.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Evans SM, Kerrigan E, Palmer N (2000) Causes of imposex in the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus (L.) and its use as a biological indicator of tributyltin contamination. Mar Pollut Bull 40:212–219. doi:10.1016/S0025-326X(99)00210-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez MA, a Rebellovagener A, Limaverde AM, Scofield AL, Pinheiro FM, Rodrigues E (2005) Imposex and surface sediments speciation: a combined approach to evaluate organotin contamination in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mar Environ Res 59:435–452. doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2004.07.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs PE, Bryan GW, Pascoe PL, Burt GR (1987) The use of dogwhelk, Nucella lapillus, as an indicator of tributyltin (TBT) contamination. J Mar Biol Assoc UK 67:507–523

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harino H, Fukushima M, Yamamoto Y, Kawai S, Miyazaki N (1998) Organotin compounds in water, sediments, and biological samples from the port of Osaka, Japan. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 35:558–564. doi:10.1007/s002449900416

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hong SH, Yim UH, Shim WJ, Oh JR (2005) Congener-specific survey for polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments of industrialized bays in Korea: regional characteristics and pollution sources. Environ Sci Technol 39:7380–7388. doi:10.1021/es050397c

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horiguchi T, Shiraishi H, Shimizu M, Morita M (1994) Imposex and organotin compounds in Thais clavigera and T. bronni in Japan. J Mar Biol Assoc UK 74:651–669

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hung TC, Hsu WK, Mang PJ, Chuang A (2001) Organotins and imposex in the rock shell, Thais clavigera, from oyster mariculture areas in Taiwan. Environ Pollut 112:145–152. doi:10.1016/S0269-7491(00)00123-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kan-Atirekrap S, Tanabe S, Sanguansin J (1997) Contamination by butyltin compounds in sediments from Thailand. Mar Pollut Bull 34:894–899. doi:10.1016/S0025-326X(97)00053-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khim JS, Lee KT, Kannan K, Villeneuve DL, Gisey JP, Koh CH (2001) Trace organic contaminants in sediment and water from Ulsan Bay and its vicinity, Korea. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 40:141–150. doi:10.1007/s002440010157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • KSA (Korea Shipbuilders’ Association) (2007) Korean shipbuilding statistics. KSA, Seoul (in Korean)

    Google Scholar 

  • Langstone WJ, Burt GR (1991) Bioavailability and effects of sediment-bound TBT in deposit-feeding clams, Sorbicularia plana. Mar Environ Res 32:61–77. doi:10.1016/0141-1136(91)90034-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leung KMY, Kwong RPY, Ng WC, Horiguchi T, Qiu JW, Yang R, Song M, Jiang G, Zheng GJ, Lam PKS (2006) Ecological risk assessments of endocrine disrupting organotin compounds using marine neogastropods in Hong Kong. Chemosphere 65:922–938. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.03.048

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthiessen P, Thain JE (1989) A method for studying the impact of polluted marine sediments on intertidal colonising organisms; tests with diesel-based drilling mud and tributyltin anti-fouling paint. Hydrobiology 188(189):477–485

    Google Scholar 

  • MOMAF (Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries) (2002) Domestic plans for anti-fouling system convention in the International Maritime Organization (IMO). MOMAF, Seoul (in Korean)

    Google Scholar 

  • MOMAF (Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Fisheries) (2004) Shipping statistics in Korea. MOMAF, Seoul (in Korean)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moon HB, Kannan K, Choi M, Choi HG (2007) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine sediments from industrialized bays of Korea. Mar Pollut Bull 54:1402–1412. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.05.024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moon HB, Choi HG, Lee PY, Ok G (2008) Congener-specific characterization and sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in marine sediments from industrialized bays of Korea. Environ Toxicol Chem 27:323–333. doi:10.1897/07-337R.1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nias DJ, McKillup SC, Edyvane KS (1993) Imposex in Lepsiella vinosa from Southern Australia. Mar Pollut Bull 26:380–384. doi:10.1016/0025-326X(93)90185-M

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Connor TP, Lauenstein GG (2006) Trends in chemical concentrations in mussels and oysters collected along the US coast: update to 2003. Mar Environ Res 62:261–285. doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2006.04.067

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Page DS, Ozbal CC, Lanphear ME (1996) Concentration of butyltin species in sediments associated with shipyard activity. Environ Pollut 91:237–243. doi:10.1016/0269-7491(95)00046-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Regoli L, Chan HM, de Lafontaine Y, Mikaelian I (2001) Organotins in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and sediments of the Quebec City Harbor area of the St. Lawrence River. Aquat Toxicol 53:115–126. doi:10.1016/S0166-445X(00)00174-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz JM, Bachelet G, Caumette P, Donard OFX (1996) Three decades of tributyltin in the coastal environment with emphasis on Arcachon Bay, France. Environ Pollut 93:195–203. doi:10.1016/0269-7491(96)00029-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shim WJ, Oh JR, Kahng SH, Shim JH, Lee SH (1998) Accumulation of tributyl- and triphenyltin compounds in Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, from the Chinhae Bay System, Korea. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 3:105–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Shim WJ, Oh JR, Kahng SH, Shim JH, Lee SH (1999) Horizontal distribution of butyltins in surface sediments from an enclosed bay system, Korea. Environ Pollut 106:351–357. doi:10.1016/S0269-7491(99)00109-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shim WJ, Kahng SH, Hong SH, Kim NS, Kim SK, Shim JH (2000) Imposex in the rock shell, Thais clavigera, as evidence of organotin contamination in the marine environment of Korea. Mar Environ Res 49:435–451. doi:10.1016/S0141-1136(99)00084-7

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shim WJ, Hong SH, Kim NS, Yim UH, Li D, Oh JR (2005) Assessment of butyl- and phenyltin pollution in the coastal environment of Korea using mussels and oysters. Mar Pollut Bull 51:922–931. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.07.015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas KV, Fileman TW, Readman JW, Waldock MJ (2001) Antifouling paint booster biocides in the UK coastal environment and potential risks of biological effects. Mar Pollut Bull 42:677–688. doi:10.1016/S0025-326X(00)00216-2

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (1996) Recommendations for screening values for tributyltins in sediments at superfund sites in Puget Sound, Washington. EPA ECL-111. U.S. Environment Protection Agency, Seattle, WA

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (2003) Ambient aquatic life water quality criteria for tributyltin (TBT)—final. Heath and Ecological Criteria Division. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Wade TL, Sweet ST, Quinn JG, Cairns RW, King JW (2004) Tributyltin in environmental samples from the former Derecktor Shipyard, Coddington Cove, Newport RI. Environ Pollut 129:315–320. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2003.10.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by a grant from the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI; RP-2008-ME-35), Korea. We thank Dr. Hyeon-Seo Cho, Chonnam National University, for measuring imposex levels in T. clavigera.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Environment Research Team, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 408-1 Sirang-ri, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan, 619-705, Republic of Korea

    Minkyu Choi, Hyo-Bang Moon, Jun Yu, Ji-Yeong Eom & Hee-Gu Choi

Authors
  1. Minkyu Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hyo-Bang Moon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jun Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ji-Yeong Eom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hee-Gu Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Minkyu Choi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Choi, M., Moon, HB., Yu, J. et al. Butyltin Contamination in Industrialized Bays Associated with Intensive Marine Activities in Korea. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 57, 77–85 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9235-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9235-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation