Butyltin Contamination in Fishing Port Sediments after the Ban of Tributyltin Antifouling Paint: A Case of Qianzhen Fishing Port in Taiwan

Comprehensive assessment of metals and organic pollutants in pelagic fishing port sediments

Fishing ports are among the environments that accumulate pollutants along the coast but often lack environmental data and scientific research. This study investigated 8 metals, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 10 phthalate esters (APs), and 2 alkylphenols (APs) in the surface sediments of Qianzhen Fishing Port, the largest pelagic fishing port in Taiwan. Indicator compounds, pollution hotspots, potential ecological risk levels, and pollution sources were evaluated. Results showed that copper, zinc, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in surface sediments were pollution indicators posing potential toxicological risks. Metals and PAHs in sediments were mainly from ship-related sources, while PAEs and APs were related to dockland activities. Combining metal and organic pollutants, the sediments had a moderate potential ecological risk, with metals higher than organic pollutants. Cluster analysis and color geographic map of risks indicate sediment pollution hotspots and areas requiring immediate intervention. In the future, sustainable operation and management can be carried out by using metal-free antifouling paint, improving sewage treatment rate, and regular environmental dredging of fishing port.

Comparing the applicability of ecological risk indices of metals based on PCA-APCS-MLR receptor models for ports surface sediments

This study collected surface sediments from seven ports in Taiwan and analyzed their characteristics along with 10 metals. Enrichment factor (EF), relative EF (REF), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and mean effect range median quotient (m-ERM-q) were used to evaluate the levels of metal contamination and ecological risks in sediments. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model were applied to quantify the main factors affecting the variations in sediment metals. The different normalization techniques that vary between indexes significantly affect the estimates of risk levels for sediment metals. APCS-MLR model confirmed the significant difference among the sediment quality indices in the degree of anthropogenic pollution, ranging in the order of REF (normalized with reference site and Fe, 97.0 %), PERI (normalized with reference site, 85.5 %), EF (normalized with crust and Fe, 79.4 %), and m-ERM-q (not normalized, 56.6 %).

The study on contamination of bottom sediments from the Odra River estuary (SW Baltic Sea) by tributyltin using environmetric methods

We present the first comprehensive study on the occurrence of tributyltin (TBT) in the Odra River estuary (SW Baltic Sea) that encompasses both densely populated and urbanized agglomeration Szczecin city, and sparsely populated biosphere reserves "Natura 2000". Relationship between TBT and physicochemical parameters of bottom sediments such as granulometry total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), As, and metals: Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sn, and Zn was investigated in 120 samples collected in 2017 and 2018. The highest TBT concentrations were over 3000 ng g^-1 (dry weight). They were observed in samples collected in the vicinity of the ship maintenance zones of the Szczecin city. Despite the EU ban on its use since 2003, TBT is still present in the environment. Environmetrics analyses such as correlation, cluster, and principal component analysis of obtained results revealed that the main source of sediments contamination by TBT, metalloids, and metals is likely related to the maritime industry: shipyards, ship maintenance as well as ports and marines. TBT is still present in the bottom sediments because of its emission to the environment with dust and paint chips formed during sandblasting cleaning of ship surfaces. The pollutant is further transported with water current to remote localization in the Szczecin Lagoon. Slow water exchange between the Szczecin Lagoon and the Baltic Sea favors accumulation of pollutants in the lagoon sediments. Therefore, it is necessary to implement environmentally friendly methods into ship maintenance and management of the materials from dredged waterways, harbors, and marinas.

Non-proportional distribution and bioaccumulation of metals between phytoplankton and zooplankton in coastal waters

Metal concentrations were concurrently quantified in seawater, phytoplankton, and zooplankton from a heavily impacted coast of southern Taiwan. Combined size and density fractionation were used to accurately quantify metal concentrations in phytoplankton. Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, and Pb were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). As expected, metals significantly increased with an order of seawater < phytoplankton < zooplankton (p < 0.05); but did not differ between estuarine, nearshore, and offshore sites (p > 0.05). Metals were higher along Kaohsiung Harbor and marine outfall diffusion sites, highlighting their major impacts on plankton metal contamination. Notably, phytoplankton (Cr BCF > 100; half of the sites) significantly accumulated more metals contrary to zooplankton (BAF < 10). Metal concentrations and bioaccumulation factors between phytoplankton and zooplankton showed significant negative correlations. This demonstrates a non-proportional distribution and bioaccumulation of metals in phytoplankton and zooplankton-corroborating laboratory findings on zooplankton ability to control metals, irrespective of significantly high bioaccumulation in phytoplankton.

Potential sources and toxicity risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of commercial ports in Taiwan

The accumulation of pollutants in the semi-enclosed waters of ports has long been a concern. This study assessed the pollution status, sources, and toxicity risks of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments of 7 major ports in Taiwan. Total PAHs concentrations in sediments ranged between 8.4 and 572.5 ng/g dw, with an average of 112.4 ± 136.5 ng/g dw. The 3- and 4-ring PAHs (63 %) were the major constituents of PAHs in the sediments. Diagnostic ratios and positive matrix factorization analyses indicated that PAHs in sediments were mainly contributed by biomass combustion (45.0 %), coal combustion (31.5 %), and vehicle emissions and related fossil fuels (23.5 %). The results of ecological risk assessment showed a low-medium risk of PAHs in the sediments outside the port, whereas most of the sediments within the port presented a medium-high risk. An assessment of the possible human health risks indicated that PAHs were present at acceptable levels.