European Union coastline

Industrial discharges; Dissolved metal concentrations in the water column; Concentration of other organic contaminants in sediment samples; Concentration of other organic contaminants in the water column; Dissolved trace metalloid and inorganic selenium concentrations in water bodies; Bioassay and contaminant biological impact; Inorganic chemical composition of sediment or rocks

High performance liquid chromatographs; gas chromatograph mass spectrometers

In 1989 the European Community introduced a directive to restrict the use of tributyl-tin (TBT) based antifouling paints on boats under 25 metres. This, in combination with other legislation has provoked paint manufacturers and chemical companies to develop and vend a range of agents for new antifouling paints for the lucrative 'small boat' market and as an addition to TBT-based formulations to enhance efficacy for larger vessels. The types of compounds being used or promoted include some which are known to be highly toxic (e.g. cyanides, arsenic) or to act as endocrine disruptors (e.g. maneb, ziram) but negligible data concerning contamination, (potential) effects and risks of these compounds in the coastal and marine environment are available. This project aims to provide information and tools which enable environmental managers at national and international levels to address the issue of antifouling agents in a systematic, effective manner in an early stage of the use of these compounds. The following activities are being carried out: 1) survey of antifouling products and agetns being used and marketed. 2) assessment of geographical patterns/ differences in usage. 3) establishment of a database with environmental and toxicological properties of these compounds using information from literature or generated in this project. 4) development of suitable analytical techniques to measure environmental levels and to intercompare analyses. 5) assessment of the extent of contamination of European coastlines. 6) investigation of fates and effects in (semi) field conditions 7) prediction of future concentrations and effects in selected European coastal zones with models using the data obtained 8) comparison of products regarding environmental properties (fate, toxicity) and effects using different usage scenarios. Partners involved represent several EU states and cover a large proportion of diverse EU coastal areas.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Prospect Place The Hoe
Plymouth
England
PL1 3DH
United Kingdom