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Organotin speciation in Bizerte lagoon (Tunisia)
1Institut National des Sciences et Technologie de la Mer, Laboratoire Milieu Marin, Salammbô, Tunisie.
The Science of the Total Environment
|October 4, 2005
Summary
Organotin pollution, including butyltins, was detected in Bizerte lagoon sediments and mussels. Industrial activities likely contribute to this moderate contamination, with organotins accumulating in marine life and sediments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Marine Biology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Organotins are industrial pollutants with known toxicity.
- Bizerte lagoon is an area with significant industrial activity.
- Limited data exists on organotin contamination in Tunisian coastal ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess organotin contamination in Bizerte lagoon.
- To study the distribution of organotins in sediments and mussels.
- To investigate the speciation and degradation of organotins in the lagoon environment.
Main Methods:
- Organotin speciation using a rapid one-step ethylation/extraction method.
- Analysis of butyl-, phenyl-, and octyltins.
- Quantification via Gas Chromatography with Pulsed Flame Photometric Detection (GC-PFPD).
- Extraction techniques included Liquid/Liquid Extraction (LLE) and Head-Space Solid Phase Microextraction (HS-SPME).
Main Results:
- Bizerte lagoon samples showed moderate organotin contamination, particularly butyltins.
- Organotins were found to accumulate in both marine sediments and mussel tissues.
- Significant degradation of triorganotins to monosubstituted forms was observed in lagoon water.
Conclusions:
- Industrial activities are a probable source of organotin pollution in Bizerte lagoon.
- Organotins pose a risk to the lagoon's ecosystem due to accumulation in sediments and biota.
- Further monitoring and pollution control measures are recommended for Bizerte lagoon.