From TBT to booster biocides: Levels and impacts of antifouling along coastal areas of Panama

Antifouling biocides in surface sediments and gastropod tissues were assessed for the first time along coastal areas of Panama under the influence of maritime activities, including one of the world's busiest shipping zones: the Panama Canal. Imposex incidence was also evaluated in five muricid species distributed along six coastal areas of Panama. This TBT-related biological alteration was detected in three species, including the first report in Purpura panama. Levels of organotins (TBT, DBT, and MBT) in gastropod tissues and surficial sediments ranged from < 5 to 104 ng Sn g(-1) and < 1-149 ng Sn g(-1), respectively. In addition, fresh TBT inputs were observed in areas considered as moderate to highly contaminated mainly by inputs from fishing and leisure boats. Regarding booster biocides, TCMTB and dichlofluanid were not detected in any sample, while irgarol 1051, diuron and DCOIT levels ranged from < 0.08 to 2.8 ng g(-1), < 0.75-14.1 ng g(-1), and < 0.38-81.6 ng g(-1), respectively. The highest level of TBT (149 ng Sn g(-1)) and irgarol 1051 (2.8 ng g(-1)), as well as relevant level of DCOIT (5.7 ng g(-1)), were detected in a marina used by recreational boats. Additionally, relatively high diuron values (14.1 ng g(-1)) were also detected in the Panama Canal associate to a commercial port. DCOIT concentrations were associated with the presence of antifouling paint particles in sediments obtained nearby shipyard or boat maintenance sites. The highest levels of TBT, irgarol 1051, and diuron exceeded international sediment quality guidelines indicating that toxic effects could be expected in coastal areas of Panama. Thus, the simultaneous impacts produced by new and old generations of antifouling paints highlight a serious environmental issue in Panamanian coastal areas. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS)FINEPCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Organization of American States (OAS- GCUB) - Grupo Coimbra de Universidades Brasileiras (GCUB)Univ Fed Rio Grande FURG, LACOM, Escola Quim & Alimentos, Postgrad Program Technol & Environm Chem, BR-96201900 Rio Grande, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Mar, BR-11030400 Santos, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande FURG, Inst Oceanog, Lab Microcontaminantes Organ & Ecotoxicol Aquat C, BR-96203900 Rio Grande, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Mar, BR-11030400 Santos, SP, BrazilFAPERGS: 810-25.51/13-3FAPERGS: 831-25.51/13-0FINEP: CT Hidro 1111/13Organization of American States (OAS- GCUB) - Grupo Coimbra de Universidades Brasileiras (GCUB): DT 310517/2012-5Organization of American States (OAS- GCUB) - Grupo Coimbra de Universidades Brasileiras (GCUB): PQ 306486/2015-6Organization of American States (OAS- GCUB) - Grupo Coimbra de Universidades Brasileiras (GCUB): PQ 312341/2013-0Web of Scienc