Effects of Tributyltin Antifouling Paint Leachates on Pearl Harbor Organisms. Site-Specific Flowthrough Bioassay Tests

摘要

Site-specific bioassay studies were performed to evaluate the effects of tributyltin (TBT) antifouling paint leachates on complex communities of organisms. Test communities were maintained in flowthrough seawater tanks at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and were composed of about 30 common fouling invertebrates (attached to panels and tank surfaces), American oysters, swimming crabs, glass shrimp, and feather-duster worms. Organisms were exposed to five treatment levels ranging form 0.04- to 2.5-micrograms/L TBT. Organisms that exhibited no visible stress responses to all levels of TBT were swimming crabs, glass shrimp, the anemone Haliplanella luciae, and all genera of algae encountered in the tanks. The American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) experienced sublethal effects (reduced condition index) from organotin leachates at 0.1-micrograms/L TBT and high morality at 2.5 micrograms/L. Substantial declined in numbers of species and lowered species diversity were observed on fouling panels and surfaces exposed to 0.5 micrograms/L TBT. No significant effects were noted at 0.04 micrograms/L. Tolerance of some species of nuisance foulers, such as tube worms and solitary tunicates, to moderate-to-high concentrations of TBT suggests that areas affected by significant amounts of organotins should be closely monitored for possible shifts in dominance of specific organisms. Keywords: Benthic organisms, harbor pollutants.