Low organotin contamination of harbour sediment in Svalbard

Martine J Van Den Heuvel-Greve,Albertinka J Murk,Michiel J J Kotterman,Christiaan J A F Kwadijk,Nico W Van Den Brink,Ariadna S Szczybelski,Anita Evenset

doi:10.1007/s00300-016-1907-0

Martine J Van Den Heuvel-Greve, Albertinka J Murk + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-016-1907-0

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Journal: Polar Biology	Publication Date: Mar 11, 2016
Citations: 15	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Wageningen University & Research, Akvaplan-niva

Abstract

Arctic sea routes are opening up for maritime transport due to sea ice retreat leading to increasing human activities in the Arctic and concomitant pressures on the environment. Organotin compounds are used in antifouling paints of large seagoing vessels and are known to leach into the marine environment and accumulate in sediments and biota. As organotin levels in Svalbard sediments have not been documented in peer-reviewed literature before, this study describes the levels in sediment of harbours around Svalbard (Ny-Alesund, Longyearbyen, Svea, Pyramiden and Barentsburg). Organotin levels in sediments of Svalbard harbours were low (below the detection limit up to 14 ng Sn/g dw sum-butyltin) compared to other Arctic regions with a longer history of shipping. Levels were below known no effect levels and in accordance, no imposex was found in marine whelks from Ny-Alesund harbour. Of all other analysed compounds in sediments of Kongsfjorden (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenylethers and perfluorinated compounds) PAH levels were highest and in one sample above action levels. It is advised to continue monitoring contaminant levels, for which the current results form a good basis. If contaminant levels rise, mitigation measures can be taken in time.

Highlights

Arctic sea routes are opening up for maritime transport due to sea ice retreat
This study focuses on providing insight into organotin contamination of sediments of Svalbard harbours and the occurrence of imposex in marine whelks (Buccinum sp.) of Ny-Alesund harbour, Kongsfjorden
The highest number of samples with TBT was found in Svea harbour (67 % above d limit), whereas highest sum-butyltin concentrations were found in Ny-Alesund harbour (\d limit—14 ng Sn/g dw)

Summary

Introduction

Arctic sea routes are opening up for maritime transport due to sea ice retreat. This leads to increasing human activities in the Arctic and concomitant pressures on the environment Division of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. Marine Animal Ecology Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands. Contaminants are transported to the Arctic region from diffuse sources far away by evaporation and air currents, or via rivers and ocean currents (AMAP 1998, 2010), causing widespread contamination of pristine areas, and in particular the marine environment (MacDonald et al 2000; Letcher et al 2010; Andersen et al 2015). The main industries on Svalbard are coal mining, tourism, education and research

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