INVESTIGATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF TRIBUTYLTIN IN THE SEA-WATER FROM THE PORT OF PIRAEUS, GREECE

The distribution of tributyltin (TBT), coming from antifouling paints, was investigated in the sea water from the port of Pireaus, Greece, which has intensive ship activity. For the investigated port area, theoretical calculations were made, based on the quantity of TBT leached daily from the moored ships and the degradation of TBT in sea water This mathematical model was proved by experimental data obtained by the determination of TBT in sea water samples taken from different sites of the port. For the preconcentration of TBT, the samples were passed through a cation exchanger, Dowex 50 W-X8, from which TBT was eluted with 3 N HCl in methanol. After extraction of the eluate with dichloromethane, TBT tons directly determined in the organic phase by alternating current polarography (ACP). The theoretical calculations, based on a first order degradation kinetic and the experimental results led to the conclusion of low daily beaching rates of TBT from the moored ships in the investigated area.