Warford L, Mason C, Lonsdale J, Bersuder P, Blake S, Evans N, Thomas B, James D. A reassessment of TBT action levels for determining the fate of dredged sediments in the United Kingdom.
Mar Pollut Bull 2022;
176:113439. [PMID:
35183026 DOI:
10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113439]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
As part of reviewing the United Kingdom (UK) action levels (ALs) of contaminants for managing the disposal of dredged marine sediment material, tributyl tin (TBT) has been reassessed. TBT is a banned biocide capable of causing severe harm to the marine environment. Its presence is routinely screened for prior to marine disposal of dredged sediment material. Dredged sediment TBT concentrations have been studied using UK monitoring data obtained between 2000 and 2018. The changes in these TBT concentrations have guided the reassessment of ALs. Recent toxicity studies have also guided the reassessment of TBT ALs. This study, which itself forms part of a larger review by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has concluded that current UK TBT ALs may no longer be fit for purpose. A more environmentally protective approach for controlling release of TBT into the marine environment is recommended.
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