Tributyltin (TBT) and the decline of the Norfolk Broads

This is the final report to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on the contract "Tributyltin (TBT) and the decline of the Norfolk Broads"

Tributyltin (TBT) and the decline of the Norfolk Broads: Hickling Broad and Barton Broad

This study furthers the work of Sayer et al (2001), in which a model was presented regarding the collapse of the plant-dominated state in the aquatic ecosystem of the Norfolk Broads, E. England. The boat antifouling biocide tributyltin (TBT) was implicated as a toxic switching mechanism from evidence gathered in a palaeolimnological study of Wroxham Broad

Toxic metal enrichment and boating intensity: sediment records of antifoulant copper in shallow lakes of eastern England

Tributyltin (TBT), an aqueous biocide derived from antifouling paint pollution, is known to have impacted coastal marine ecosystems, and has been reported in the sediment of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, a network of rivers and shallow lakes in eastern England. In the marine environment, the 1987 TBT ban has resulted in expanded use of alternative biocides, raising the question of whether these products too have impacted the Broads ecosystem and freshwaters in general. Here we examine the lake sediment record in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads for contamination by copper (Cu) (as an active biocide agent) and zinc (Zn) (as a component of booster biocides), to assess their occurrence and potential for causing environmental harm in freshwater ecosystems. We find that, after the introduction of leisure boating, there is a statistically significant difference in Cu enrichment between heavily and lightly boated sites, while no such difference exists prior to this time. At the heavily boated sites the onset of Cu enrichment coincides with a period of rapid increase in leisure boating. Such enrichment is maintained to the present day, with some evidence of continued increase. We conclude that Cu-based antifouling has measurably contaminated lakes exposed to boating, at concentrations high enough to cause ecological harm. Similar findings can be expected at other boated freshwater ecosystems elsewhere in the world

Identification of a delta5-like fatty acyl desaturase from the cephalopod Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier 1797) involved in the biosynthesis of essential fatty acids

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) have been identified as essential compounds for common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), but precise dietary requirements have not been determined due in part to the inherent difficulties of performing feeding trials on paralarvae. Our objective is to establish the essential fatty acid (EFA) requirements for paralarval stages of the common octopus through characterisation of the enzymes of endogenous LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways. In this study we isolated a cDNA with high homology to fatty acyl desaturases (Fad). Functional characterisation in recombinant yeast showed the octopus Fad exhibited ∆5 desaturation activity towards saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acyl substrates. Thus, it efficiently converted the yeast’s endogenous 16:0 and 18:0 to 16:1n-11 and 18:1n-13, respectively, and desaturated exogenously added PUFA substrates, 20:4n-3 and 20:3n-6, to 20:5n-3 (EPA) and 20:4n-6 (ARA), respectively. Although the ∆5 Fad enables common octopus to produce EPA and ARA, the low availability of its adequate substrates 20:4n-3 and 20:3n-6, either in the diet or by limited endogenous synthesis from C18 PUFA, might indicate that EPA and ARA are indeed EFA for this species. Interestingly, the octopus ∆5 Fad can also participate in the biosynthesis of non-methylene interrupted FA, PUFA that are generally uncommon in vertebrates but that have been found previously in marine invertebrates including molluscs, and now also confirmed to be present in specific tissues of common octopus

Antifouling paint booster biocides in the UK coastal environment and potential risks of biological effects

In the yachting sector of the UK antifouling market, organic biocides are commonly added to antifouling preparations to boost performance. Few data presently exist for concentrations of these compounds in UK waters. In this study the concentrations of tributyltin (TBT) and eight booster biocides were measured before and during the 1998 yachting season. The Crouch Estuary, Essex, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth and Southampton Water were chosen as representative study sites for comparison with previous surveys of TBT concentrations. Diuron and Irgarol 1051 were the only organic booster biocides found at concentrations above the limits of detection. Diuron was measured at the highest concentrations, whilst detectable concentrations of both Irgarol 1051 and diuron were determined in areas of high yachting activity (e.g. mooring areas and marinas). Maximum measured values were 1421 and 6740 ng/l, respectively. Lower concentrations of both compounds were found in open estuarine areas, although non-antifouling contributions of diuron may contribute to the overall inputs to estuarine systems. TBT was found to be below or near the environmental quality standard (EQS) of 2 ng/l for all samples collected from estuarine areas frequented by pleasure craft alone, but with much higher concentrations measured in some marinas, harbours and in areas frequented by large commercial vessels. Using the limited published environmental fate and toxicity data available for antifouling booster biocides, a comparative assessment to evaluate the risk posed by these compounds to the aquatic environment is described. TBT still exceeds risk quotients by the greatest margins, but widespread effects due to Irgarol 1051 and less so diuron cannot be ruled out (particularly if use patterns change) and more information is required to provide a robust risk assessment