Abstract
Tributyltin (TBT) is a synthetic organotin compound and is recognised as the most toxic chemical ever knowingly introduced into the marine environment. Organotins have a wide range of application with an estimated global production of 50,000 tons per year therefore impacts from TBT can be seen or anticipated in many environments including protected areas like aqua farms and world heritage sites effecting aquaculture and undisturbed ecosystems. Due to the impact of TBT a necessity exists for the treatment of contaminated sediment and soil using nature-based solutions as it is both non-invasive and sustainable. However these remediation techniques must also be economically interesting to increase its acceptance. Thus using the biomass from plant species with the ability to cultivate in dredged sediment for biofuel and biomaterials production should be considered to ensure that renewable energy consumption of 10% is meet by 2020. The objectives of this study is to investigate the potential of Hordeum vulgare and Brassica napus to cultivate in marine sediments despite the salinity and TBT pollution for a 30 day pot trial. Further to inoculate seedling roots with known TBT degrading bacteria to enhance the phytoremediation capacity. Also to establish if bacterial isolates C7 and C22 are plant growth promoting bacteria. Statistical analysis on seedlings biomass was carried out followed by analytical analyses by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and sediment analysis by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed a maximum decrease of ≥ 82% and ≥ 80% of TBT in sediment samples respectively with bacteria inoculum C7 (KX881905) and C22 (KX881904), further Hordeum vulgare seedlings were the ideal candidate plant species with a significant production of biomass.
Highlights
Tributyltin (TBT, C12H27Sn+), is one of the most toxic xenobiotics ever produced and deliberately introduced into the environment, TBT is an organic derivative of tin, characterised by the presence of covalent bonds between three carbon (C) atoms and a single tin atom (Sn4+) [1,2,3]
This widespread use has led to an environmental presence in soil, sediment, water and biota where it has been detected in coastal waters at concentrations of ≥500 ng Sn/l and in harbours and shipping lane sediments up to 16,800 ng Sn/g [1]
TBT is a known endocrine disruptor and is most notably associated with imposex in the periwinkle (Littorina littorea) and dog-whelk (Nucella lapillus) populations. This phenomenon is considered the best example of endocrine disruption in wildlife to date with TBT concentrations as low as 1 ng/l of TBT resulting in observable effects [2,7,8,9]
Summary
Tributyltin (TBT, C12H27Sn+), is one of the most toxic xenobiotics ever produced and deliberately introduced into the environment, TBT is an organic derivative of tin, characterised by the presence of covalent bonds between three carbon (C) atoms and a single tin atom (Sn4+) [1,2,3]. TBT and other organotins have been used in industrial applications for PVC production, marine antifouling paints, agricultural pesticides and fungicides, and numerous consumer products and household items [1,3,4,5,6,7,8]. This widespread use has led to an environmental presence in soil, sediment, water and biota where it has been detected in coastal waters at concentrations of ≥500 ng Sn/l and in harbours and shipping lane sediments up to 16,800 ng Sn/g [1]. TBT is lipophilic and has been detected in the liver and fat cells of animals of higher tropic levels such as: fish, birds, seals, sharks, porpoises and whales at levels up to 790 ng Sn/g causing lethal mutagenic effects and damage to the central nervous systems [1]
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