Study on the new antifouling compounds in Korean coasts

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Marine Biology
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Organic tin compounds, previously used in antifouling paints, are now prohibited.
• Newer biocides, including chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, and Irgarol, are utilized as replacements.
• Marine environments are susceptible to contamination from antifouling paint leachates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the changes in concentrations of specific antifouling agents in Korean bays between 2006 and 2009.
• To compare the levels of chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, and Irgarol 1051 in major Korean bays over time.
• To evaluate the environmental impact of alternative antifouling biocides.

Main Methods:

• Re-sampling and chemical analysis of water from major Korean bays in 2009.
• Comparison of analytical results with data obtained from a similar study conducted in 2006.
• Quantification of chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, and Irgarol 1051 using established analytical techniques.

Main Results:

• Concentrations of chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, and Irgarol 1051 were detected in Korean bays in both 2006 and 2009.
• Maximum detected concentrations in 2009 were significantly higher than in 2006: chlorothalonil (67.96 ng/L), dichlofluanid (74.79 ng/L), and Irgarol 1051 (67.64 ng/L).
• All three compounds showed apparent increases in concentration across all studied areas between 2006 and 2009.

Conclusions:

• The widespread use of alternative antifouling agents has led to increased environmental concentrations of chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, and Irgarol in Korean marine waters.
• The observed rise in these biocides suggests potential ecological risks.
• Further research is crucial to understand the ecotoxicological effects and long-term environmental fate of these substitute antifouling compounds.