Sedimentary butyltin compounds and sediment transport model at the Shuwaikh Port, Kuwait Bay

Abstract

Organotin compounds are highly toxic and have a direct impact on the marine environment. The leaching rate of tributyltin (TBT) was estimated to be 1.6 μg cm−2 per day, and the freshly painted leaching rate can be as high as 6 μg cm−2 per day. The present work is carried out at the Shuwaikh Port located at the Kuwait Bay. The major aim of the present work is to point out the presence of organotin compounds in the sediments along with the 10 stations of the Shuwaikh Port including the reference point at the outside of the port. The observations of basic hydrographic parameters which include salinity (42.4–44.5 ppt), temperature (17–33 °C, minimum at winter and maximum at summer), pH (7.7–9.79), and dissolved oxygen (6.2–7.8 mg/L) were noted in this study. The basic sediment texture analysis has been carried out from the previous studies as well. The amount of TBT leaching from the industries’, ship paints (antifouling) will spread to water; as the residence time of TBT in water is very small (3–15 days), it will end up to sediments (4–5 months; and in anaerobic sediment, it will extend up to 8–10 years) or affect the direct uptake of organisms. Depths in the main basin of the Shuwaikh Port ranges between 6.7–10 m. Evaluations of the annual longshore transport quantities are carried out based on the Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC). The waves were classified based on their predominant direction, and the longshore sediment transport rate has been estimated. The analyzed results reflect the presence of TBT compounds in the locations nearby the shipyard. The observed range was 0.8–1.16 μg/g. The present results are showing lesser values of TBT compared with the same study of different regions.