| Affiliation: | (1) Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, Athens, 157 71, Greece;(2) Water and Air Quality Laboratory, Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, University Hill, Mytilene, 81 100, Greece;(3) Technical and Scientific Division for the Protection and Development of the Environment/Territory and Environmental Technologies, ENEA, R.C. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, 00060 Rome, Italy |
| Abstract: | Concentrations of tributyltin in sediments from 9 selected stations located in the upper Tagus River estuary nature reserve, Portugal, were determined. Tributyltin (TBT) concentrations in the sediments ranged from 5 to 35 ng g−1 on a dry weight basis. The persistent TBT contamination observed in the sediments from this important European ecosystem is primarily related to shipping activities as well as the naval industrial complexes located downstream. This exploratory survey suggests that both dumping and dredging, or the effects of tidal transport of resuspended sediments, are likely the main sources for the TBT contamination observed in the upper estuary. Although the TBT contents found in the sediments studied are low relative to concentrations reported from other parts of the world, they appear to represent a potential risk for some resident marine populations. |
