A study on tributyl tin (TBT) contamination of marine sediments in the major ports of Fiji

Koshy, Kanayathu and Maata, Matakite (2001) A study on tributyl tin (TBT) contamination of marine sediments in the major ports of Fiji. The South Pacific Journal of Natural Sciences, 19 (1). pp. 1-4. ISSN 1013-9877

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Abstract

Tri-n-butyltin (TBT) compounds are synthetic, multipurpose chemicals, which have been extensively used, in marine antifouling paints. They have been known to be extremely poisonous to mollusc fishery resources (oysters, clams, scallops, etc.). TBT levels in marine sediments from the main ports in Fiji were analysed using the GC/FPD method. The results indicated that these sites were among the worst polluted with TBT in the world. The most contaminated site recorded a TBT concentration of 360μgg-1. TBT comprised 48-90% of the total organotins measured. Some stringent legislative means are needed to regulate the use of this contaminant in marine anti-fouling paints.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GC Oceanography
Divisions:	Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
Depositing User:	Ms Mereoni Camailakeba
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2001 23:09
Last Modified:	11 Jul 2012 04:38
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/2821

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