Tributyltin in environmental samples from the Former Derecktor Shipyard, Coddington Cove, Newport RI

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2004-05, Vol.129 (2), p.315-320
• Main Authors: WADE, Terry L, SWEET, Stephen T, QUINN, James G, CAIRNS, Robert W, KING, John W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Availability; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental Pollutants - analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Marine and brackish environment; Metallurgy; Molluscacides - analysis; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Rhode Island; Seawaters, estuaries; Shellfish - analysis; Trialkyltin Compounds - analysis; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2003.10.016

Tributyltin (TBT) was detected in all 24 surface sediment (top 2 cm) samples collected from Coddington Cove, Newport, RI. TBT surface sediment concentrations ranged from 32 to 372 ng Sn/g with a mean concentration of 146 ng Sn/g. Analyses of selected core sections detected TBT in at least the top 18 cm at all 7 stations where cores were collected. No consistent TBT concentration trends with depth for these cores suggest mixing is an important process in the sediment column. In one core (station 28), TBT was found in the 76-86 cm section at a concentration of 141 ng Sn/g; thus sediments are a significant sink for TBT. However, sediment mixing processes can enhance releases of bioavailable TBT. Mussels, clams and fish from Coddington Cove contain TBT at concentrations ranging from 9.2 to 977 ng Sn/g. TBT concentrations in lobsters were below the detection limit (