Detection and Quantification of Antifouling Paint Particles in Marine Sediments by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass...

Antifouling paint particles (APPs), a form of microplastic pollution derived from the fragmentation of marine coatings, have emerged as a notable environmental concern due to their persistence and potential toxicity. However, the accurate extraction, detection, and quantification of the smallest APP size fraction (<500 μm) remain significant challenges. This study reports the development and application of a sensitive analytical method for the detection and quantification of rosin-based APPs in marine sediments using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Rosin, a biobased resin derived from pine sap and widely used as a primary binder or cobinder in antifouling coatings, was targeted as a chemical marker for APPs. The method combines accelerated solvent extraction with Py-GC/MS detection of derivatized rosin pyrolysis products. Recoveries exceeded 95%. The rosin content in commercial antifouling paints varied from 14.3 to 68% (m/m), reflecting formulation differences. Application to sediments from Australian marinas revealed an average rosin concentration of 0.32 mg g^-1 sediment, estimated to be 0.47-2.2 mg g^-1 of APPs. While rosin serves as a tracer for APP quantification, the environmental concern primarily relates to the overall paint particles, which contain biocides and other additives. This method provides a robust approach for the trace-level quantification of APPs in complex matrices.