The Effect of Microbial Biofilms on Organotin Release by an Antifouling Paint

Abstract

The effect of microbial films on the release rate and speciation of tributyltin toxin from an organotin paint was determined Test panels were coated with organotin copolymer ablative antifouling paint The release rates ofthe panels were measured before and after biofilms were formed, and after they were mechanically removed. Results show that the bacterial films decreased the release rate but did not degrade the tributyltin. Algal films showed an increase in the release rate with an accompanying degradation of the tributyltin to di- and monobutyltin. For all panels the release rates significantly increased after the biofilms were removed.