Inputs of tbt to the marine environment from shipping activity in the U.K.

Abstract
Following legislative measures to ban the use of tributyltin‐based anti‐fouling paints on small boats in the U.K., a programme of investigations has been commissioned to examine inputs from shipping. Shipping activity has been divided into three categories for investigation: (a) commercial harbours; (b) anchorages; and (c) dry docks. Significant concentrations of TBT have been measured in harbours and at anchorages, in some cases exceeding 50 ng 1−1 TBT in the water column in the immediate vicinity of ships. However, the contribution to environmental concentrations of TBT from anti‐fouled yachts caused difficulties in assessment of the inputs from ships alone at many of the sites under investigation. Dry‐docking practices have been shown to result in discharge of hazardous concentrations of TBT and such activities are now subject to a voluntary code of practice.

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