Va. Maciascarranza et al., ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS IN MARINE WATER AND SEDIMENTS FROM THE PORT OF ENSENADA, BAJA-CALIFORNIA, MEXICO, Ciencias marinas, 23(3), 1997, pp. 377-394
During September and October 1995, samples of surface sediments and wa
ter were collected to develop an analytical set-up to determine the co
ncentrations of the organic compounds known as tributyltins (TBTs), in
cluding tributyl-, dibutyl- and monobutyltin. The method was then used
to measure the levels of these contaminants in the port of Ensenada,
Baja California. The method is based on hydride generation with atomic
absorption detection. The concentrations determined were found to be
relatively high (33 to 1021 ng g(-1) of Sn in sediments and 66 to 469
ng L-1 in water samples), when compared to those obtained in similar w
orks at San Diego Bay in California. USA. Comparisons are also made wi
th other geographical locations, These results suggest that the port o
f Ensenada is an area that is receiving substantial amounts of these c
hemicals and might already be affecting the health of local biota. Two
sources of these chemicals were identified: the activities associated
with painting and cleaning of both commercial and sport boats, and th
e presence, at the time of the sampling, of on old platform near the e
ntrance to the: port facilities, The presence of the three compounds s
uggests that there is a permanent entry of these pollutants: furthermo
re, the presence of decreasing concentrations. starting with the more
butylated compounds, suggests a recent introduction. The higher concen
trations found in the sediment samples indicates the existence of an e
fficient method of removal from the water column to the sediments of t
hese compounds. The removal mechanism is associated with the presence
of organic matter in the port area, In the sediments, the distribution
of TBTs was partially dictated bq the organic content, as a significa
nt correlation (alpha = 0.05) between TBT concentration and organic co
ntent was found.