THE SPECIATION OF SOME TRIBUTYLTIN COMPOUNDS USING MOSSBAUER-SPECTROSCOPY IN DIFFERENT ESTUARINE SEDIMENTS

The speciation of several tributyltin (TBT) compounds used in marine a ntifouling paints was studied by tin Mossbauer spectroscopy in both sp iked anoxic and oxic estuarine sediments. These compounds included TBT acetate, chloride, fluoride, and oxide. To assist in the determinatio n of the products, possible speciation products were also examined: TB T carbonate, sulfate, and sulfide. The study indicated that TBTF remai ns in its polymeric form after interaction with both types of sediment s. TBT sulfate is unaltered in the spiked sediments. The data reported in this paper support the hypothesis that the speciation of the other TBT compounds examined in spiked sediments depends upon the nature of the sediment.