Distribution of Different Organotin and Organolead Compounds in Sediment of Suez Gulf

Mohamed A Shreadah,Safaa A Abd El Ghani,Tarek O Said,Abd El Moniem M Ahmed

doi:10.4236/jep.2011.25063

Abstract

Organotin and organolead compounds were determined in sediments of the Suez Gulf The concentrations of Tributyltin (TBT) ranged from 0.27 to 2.77 with an average value of 1.37 µgg-1; dry wt. However, the concentrations of dibutyltin (DBT) ranged from 0.07 to 2.27 with an average value of 0.58 µgg-1; dry wt. A significant correlation was found between TBT and DBT with r = 0.82, (p = 0.05) indicating that the occurrence of DBT is mainly related to the degradation of TBT. Generally, the high concentration of TBT was attributed to shipping activity in harbours. In addition, Diphenyltin (DPhT) concentrations ranged from not detected to 2.09 with an average of 1.10 µgg-1 dry wt. Antifouling agents, industrial discharge and the influence of sewage discharge are the main sources of pollution by DPhT compounds in Suez Gulf. On the other side, organolead (OLC) concentrations ranged from 10.88 - 440.2 with an average of 168.7 ngg-1; dry wt. A significant setting of OLC recorded in sediments of Suez Gulf was mainly attributed to cars exhaust and/or spelling and direct evaporation of fuels.

Highlights

Organometallic compounds have different toxicological behavior compared to that of nonorganic compounds of the respective elements
Organotin and organolead compounds were determined in sediments of the Suez Gulf
Organolead (OLC) concentrations ranged from 10.88 - 440.2 with an average of 168.7 ng·g–1; dry wt

Summary

Introduction

Organometallic compounds have different toxicological behavior compared to that of nonorganic compounds of the respective elements. Organotin (OT) compounds have a broad range of applications and they are among the most widely used organometallic chemicals. TBT, among OTs is of the most concern due to its direct introduction into the environment and its high toxicity; it has been shown that it was toxic to many embryonic and larval organisms even at low concentrations [3]. TBT compounds caused the reduction of mollusks growth [4], shell thickening in Pacific oysters [5] and imposex in gastropods [6,7,8]. Organotin compounds were measured in sediments of four different semi-en closed areas of the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria: the Eastern Harbor, Western Harbor, El-Max Bay and

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