Characteristics, sources and health risks of organotin compounds in marine organisms from the seas adjacent to the eastern ports of China

Abstract

Organotin compounds (OTCs), being widely used as antifouling coatings on ships, are defined as endocrine-disrupting chemicals by the EPA due to their harmful effects on marine organisms. The eastern coast of China has developed abundant maritime transportation and fishery industries but the associated OTC pollution can pose potential health risks. In the present study, 20 species of marine organisms (including mollusks, crustaceans and fish) were collected from the seas adjacent to the eastern ports of China and 6 OTCs (ie, tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), monobutyltin (MBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT), diphenyltin (DPhT) and monophenyltin (MPhT)) were analyzed using GC-MS/MS. ∑OTCs in marine organisms ranged from 0.81 to 2900 ng Sn g−1 dw with the mean of 130 ng Sn g−1 dw, being at a comparatively moderate level across the world. PhTs were the dominant pollutants with the contribution up to 51%–87%. Spatially, the highest concentration of OTCs occurred in marine organisms from the ports in the Southeast Coast, and mollusks were more likely to accumulate OTCs than other species. BT concentrations in seafood decreased significantly after the implementation and enforcement of the TBT ban. The source analysis showed that BTs detected in current biota are mainly from historical exposure to antifouling coating on ships. However, PhTs may be closely associated with coastal aquaculture as well as terrestrial agriculture-related activities. The commercially important fishes were recovered a higher level of ∑OTCs than others suggesting a potential risk for protein uptake. Health risks via seafood consumption caused by OTCs were not high but children are exposed to the highest risk, followed by adolescents and adults respectively. In the future, continuous monitoring of OTCs, especially PhTs, in marine organisms from the eastern ports of China is still necessary, and effective measures to protect marine ecosystems and human health need to be taken.