Determination of butyltins in harbour sediment and water by aqueous phase ethylation GC-ICP-MS and hydride generation GC-AAS Original Research Article

Sediment and water samples have been collected between 1992 and 1995 for evaluating butyltin contamination in two marinas from the coastal area in The Netherlands, two years after the ban of TBT. Sediments extracts were analysed by capillary gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Sediment concentrations for TBT showed no trend of decrease between 1992 and 1995 and were extremely high in the marina secluded from tidal action; 17.5 ± 8.0 μg g−1 and much lower for the marina with tidal action; 0.117 ± 0.073 μg g−1. High ratios between TBT and DBT in the sediments indicate that degradation mechanisms in the sediments are of minor importance. Dissolved butyltin compounds were analysed in water by means of gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry. Water concentrations of TBT showed no clear trend of decrease between 1992 and 1995 and were high in the marina secluded from tidal action; 139 ± 166 ng litre−1 but much lower for the marina with tidal action; 48 ± 98 ng litre−1. An active degradation mechanism during summer periods was indicated by low (<1) TBT/DBT ratios in the water phase of the marina secluded from tidal action.