Spatial and temporal changes of TBT pollution along the Portuguese coast: inefficacy of the EEC directive 89/677

摘要

Nucella lapilus imposex (superimosition of male characters onto prosobranch females) and organotin body burden were sur- veyed in the Portuguese coast in 1997 and 2000. Time comparisons of the available data on Nucella laipillus imposex in the Por- tuguese coast indicate a global increase of TBT pollution in recent years, revealing the inefficacy of the 1993 legislation that bans the use of TBT paints on small boats (<25 m). The absence or scarcity of the species inside harbours, which are the most polluted sites in Portugal, is probably a consequence of extinction due to female sterilisation by TBT.