Detoxification of tributyltin contaminated sediments by an electrochemical process

Preliminary experiments have shown that dibutyl and tributyltin can be decomposed by the electrochemical treatment of sediment. Two different process pathways have been described and compared. A slurry electrolysis of the suspended sediment seemed to be more efficient than column leaching followed by electrolysis. Tributyltin was destroyed under oxidising as well as under reducing process conditions. The detoxification mechanism seemed to be stepwise removal of the butyl groups. A partial debutylation of tri- and dibutyltin could be achieved, although monobutyltin was not affected. This technique is promising, but further investigation is necessary to improve the experimental conditions and to characterise the real potential of these process pathways.