Publication Abstract

Long-term changes in subtidal macrofaunal communities in relation to declining levels of TBT contamination

R. Smith*, S.G. Bolam*, H.L. Rees* and C. Mason*

In the United Kingdom, the use of TBTbased anti-fouling paints on small vessels was banned in 1987, and a biological study of the Crouch Estuary, a yachting centre on the south-eastern coast of the UK, was conducted in order to determine the ecological improvements resulting from this legislation. We present the changes in the macro-infaunal communities along the estuary in relation to declining TBT concentrations between 1987 and 2005. Although the major changes in response to the ban were observed within the first 3 years (primarily an increase in the number of crustacean taxa and a shift in community structure), with changes still apparent between three and 5 years, the temporal duration of this study allowed the rapidity of the response to be truly determined.

Reference

R. Smith*, S.G. Bolam*, H.L. Rees* and C. Mason* (2008) Long-term changes in subtidal macrofaunal communities in relation to declining levels of TBT contamination. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 136; 245-256