Abstract
Tributyltin (TBT) concentrations near a marina complex in Benner Bay on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, were elevated relative to other areas in a larger study of the southeastern shore of the island. At the request of the USVI Coastal Zone Management Program, sediment cores and surface sediment samples were collected to better define the extent and history of TBT deposition in the vicinity of Benner Bay. The sediment cores were sectioned into 2-cm intervals and dated with 210Pb and 137Cs. The core sections and the surface samples were analyzed for butyltins and 16 elements. Deposition rates varied from 0.07–5.0 mm/year, and were highest in the marina complex. Core ages ranged from 54 to 200 years. The bottoms of the cores contained shell hash, but the top layers all consisted of much finer material. Surface concentrations of TBT exceeded 2000 ng Sn/g (dry weight) at two locations. At a depth of 8 cm TBT exceeded 8800 ng Sn/g in the marina complex sediment. Based on the ratio of tributyltin to total butyltins, it appears that the marina sediments are the source of contamination of the surrounding area. There is evidence that vessels from neighboring islands may also be a source of fresh TBT. Copper concentrations increase over time up to the present. Gradients of virtually all metals and metalloids extended away from the marina complex. NOAA sediment quality guidelines were exceeded for As, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Hg.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Apeti, D.A., Hartwell, S.I. Johnson, W.E. & Lauenstein, G.G. (2012). National status and trends bioeffects progam: field methods. NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment. NOAA NCCOS Technical Memorandum 135. Silver Spring, MD.27 pp.
Appleby, P. G., & Oldfield, F. (1978). The calculation of 210Pb dates assuming a constant rate of supply of unsupported 210Pb to the sediment. Catena, 5, 1–8.
Bray, S. & Langston, W.J. (2006) Tributyltin pollution on a global scale. An overview of relevant and recent research: impacts and issues. Report to Dr Simon Walmsley, WWF UK. BaSECO Consultants and the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
Bryan, G. W., & Gibbs, P. E. (1991). Impact of low concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) on marine organisms: a review. In M. C. Newman & A. W. McIntosh (Eds.), Metal ecotoxicology, concepts and applications (pp. 323–362). Chelsea, Mich: Lewis Pub.
Carroll, J., & Lerche, I. (2003). Sedimentary processes: quantification using radionuclides (p. 272). Elsevier.
Dı́az, S., Ábalos, M., & Bayona, J. M. (2002). Organotin contamination in sediments from the Western Mediterranean enclosures following 10 years of TBT regulation. Water Research, 36(4), 905–918.
EVS (1999). Tributyltin in marine sediments and the bioaccumulation of tributyltin: combined data report. Report to Port of Seattle, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Todd Shipyards Corporation.
Grigg, D. I., VanEepopel, R. P., & Brody, R. W. (1971). Water quality and environmental status of Benner Bay - Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas. Caribbean Research Institute, College of the Virgin Islands. Water Pollution Report no. 10.
Hancock, G., Edgington, D.N., Robbins, J.A., Smith, J.N., Brunskill, G.J., & Pfitzner, J. (2000). Workshop on radiological techniques in sedimentation studies: methods and applications.
Horsley Witten Group, Inc. (2013). St. Thomas East End Reserves Watershed Characterization Report. Prepared for: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. 97 pp.
Kimbrough, K. L., & G. G. Lauenstein (Eds). (2006). Major and trace element analytical methods of the National Status and Trends Program: 2000–2006. Silver Spring, MD. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 29. 19 pp.
Long, E. R., MacDonald, D. D., Smith, S. L., & Calder, F. D. (1995). Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments. Environment & Management, 19, 81–97.
Matthiessien, P. (2013). Detection, monitoring, and control of tributyltin—an almost complete success story. Environ. Toxicol and Chem, 32(3), 487–489.
Nittrouer, C. A., Sternberg, R. W., Carpenter, R., & Bennett, J. T. (1979). The use of Pb-210 geochronology as a sedimentological tool: application to the Washington continental shelf. Marine Geology, 31, 297–316.
NOAA (1981). Proposed St. Thomas National Marine Sanctuary, draft environmental impact statement (p. 110). Office of Coastal Zone Management, Silver Spring, MD: NOAA.
Omae, I. (2005). Chemistry and fate of organotin antifouling biocides in the environment. In L. K. Konstantinou (Ed.), Antifouling paint biocides (pp. 18–50). Berlin: Springer Verlag.
Page, D. S., Ozbal, C. C., & Lanphear, M. E. (1996). Concentration of butyltin species in sediments associated with shipyard activity. Environ. Pollution, 91(2), 237–243.
Pait, A. S., Hartwell, S. I., Mason, A. L., Warner, R. A., Jeffrey, C. F. G., Apeti, D. A., Pittman, S. J., Hoffman, A. M., & Galdo Jr., F. R. (2013). An assessment of chemical contaminants, toxicity and benthic infauna in sediments from the St. Thomas East End Reserves (STEER). NOAA technical memorandum NOS NCCOS 156 (p. 70). MD: Silver Spring.
Pait, A. S., Hartwell, S. I., Mason, A. L., Warner, R. A., Jeffrey, C. F. G., Hoffman, A. M., Apeti, D. A., & Pittman, S. J. (2014). An assessment of chemical contaminants in sediments from the St. Thomas East End Reserves, St. Thomas, USVI. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 186, 4793–4806.
Palinkas, C. M., & Nittrouer, C. A. (2007). Modern sediment accumulation on the Po shelf, Adriatic Sea. Continental Shelf Research, 27, 489–505.
Shim, W. J., Hong, S. H., Yim, U. H., Kim, N. S., & Oh, J. R. (2002). Horizontal and vertical distribution of butyltin compounds in sediments from shipyards in Korea. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 43, 277–283.
Turner, A, & Glegg, G. (2014). TBT-based anti-fouling paints remain on sale. s. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.08.041.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge the support from NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program for this project. We would also like to thank Jean-Pierre Oriol, Director of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) Division of Coastal Zone Management, Roy Pemberton, Director, and Stephen Hale of DPNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, and Tyler Smith of the University of the Virgin Islands. Larry Aubain of DPNR Division of Fish and Wildlife provided essential field support. We would also like to thank Sybille Sorrentino of Virgin Island Ecotours for providing a base of operations for our field work.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hartwell, S.I., Apeti, D.A., Mason, A.L. et al. An assessment of butyltins and metals in sediment cores from the St. Thomas East End Reserves, USVI. Environ Monit Assess 188, 642 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5596-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5596-5