Publication Abstract

The effects of short-term changes in environmental parameters on the release of biocides from antifouling coatings: cuprous oxide and tributyltin

The effects of short-term changes in environmental parameters on the release of biocides from antifouling coatings: cuprous oxide and tributyltin

K.V. Thomas, J. Chadwick and M.J. Waldock

Current and forthcoming legislation requires environmental risk assessment of antifouling paints. For assessments to be carried out successfully, the leaching rate of biocides from antifouling paints should be determined. Current methods for the measurement of biocide leach rate have been shown to be very susceptible to changes in parameters such as pH, salinity and temperature. Using apparatus designed to simulate environmental conditions the effect of short-term changes in salinity, pH, temperature, suspended particulate matter and vessel speed on cuprous oxide and tributyltin leaching from self-polishing antifouling paint was investigated. No effect was observed over a wide range of environmentally relevant conditions on copper leaching whilst speed was the only parameter found to significantly influence TBT release rates. It is suggested that this decrease may be due to the formation of a boundary layer slowing down the release of TBT from the paint surface. The environmental authenticity of this observation and it's possible implications on the environmental risk assessment of TBT are discussed.

Reference:

K.V. Thomas, J. Chadwick and M.J. Waldock, 1999. The effects of short-term changes in environmental parameters on the release of biocides from antifouling coatings: cuprous oxide and tributyltin. Applied Organometalic Chemistry, 13: 1-8

K.V. Thomas*, J. Chadwick and M.J. Waldock*

Applied Organometalic Chemistry, 13: 1-8