A reassessment of TBT action levels for determining the fate of dredged sediments in the United Kingdom. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warford, L.; Mason, C.; Lonsdale, J.; Bersuder, P.; Blake, S.; Evans, N.; Thomas, B.; James, D.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 176(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Tributyl tin -- Action levels -- Toxicity -- Dredge materials -- Disposal at sea -- United Kingdom; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113439
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

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. Highlights: The current UK ALs for TBT in sediment have not been amended since 1995. We reviewed toxicity studies of TBT to guide the selection of newly proposed ALs. The existing and proposed TBT ALs were tested against a data set of dredging application licenses. Temporal changes in dredged sediment TBT content have been studied and the trends assessed. Proposed ALs herein have been shown as more suitable for marine environmental protection.