A study on tributyltin contamination of marine sediments in the major ports of Fiji

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 360 μgg-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.