Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91076
Title: Emission to air of volatile organotins from tributyltin-contaminated harbour sediments
Authors: Vella, Alfred J.
Vassallo, Roderick
Keywords: Air -- Pollution
Tributyltin -- Environmental aspects
Volatile organic compounds
Sediments (Geology) -- Analysis
Issue Date: 2002
Publisher: Wiley Online Library
Citation: Vella, A. J., & Vassallo, R. (2002). Emission to air of volatile organotins from tributyltin‐contaminated harbour sediments. Applied Organometallic Chemistry, 16(5), 239-244.
Abstract: An analytical method for determining the presence in air of volatile forms (e.g. chlorides) of tributyltin (TBT) and that of methylbutyltins Me nBu(4−n)Sn (n = 1–3) was developed and used to establish whether dredged harbour sediments contaminated with TBT served as sources of air pollution with respect to organotin compounds. The method was based on active sampling of the air being analysed and sorption of analytes onto Poropak-N. Sorbed methylbutyltins were extracted with dichloromethane and analysed by gas chromatography using flame photometric detection. Other butyltins were converted into butyltin hydrides prior to analysis by gas chromatography. It was shown that TBT-contaminated sediments from Marsamxett Harbour, Malta, placed in 0.5 l chambers through which air was displaced by continuous pumping for 11 days released mainly methylbutyltins, with concentrations (as tin) reaching maximum 48 h mean values of 8.7 (Me3BuSn), 22.1 (Me2Bu2Sn) and 93.0 ng m−3(MeBu3Sn) being measured. Other volatile forms of TBT, dibutyltin and monobutyltin were detected in the headspace air, but very infrequently and at much lower tin concentrations (<2 ng m−3). It was also shown that methylbutyltins dissolved in sea-water ([Sn] = 0.2 to 400 ng l−1) were very difficult to exsolve from this medium, even on prolonged evaporation of the solutions using mechanical agitation and active ventilation. The results suggest that emission of methylbutyltins from contaminated sediments probably occurs only from the surface of the material. The environmental implications of these findings in the management of TBT-polluted harbour sediments are discussed.
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/91076
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