Tin and organotin speciation during wastewater and sludge treatment processes

Abstract

cited By 52International audienceThe speciation of inorganic tin and organotin compounds is studied in raw water samples and in filtered water samples collected along the main steps of the wastewater treatment plant of Bordeaux City (France). Analyses are performed by hydride generation, cryogenic trapping, chromatographic separation and detection by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results show that dissolved inorganic, methylated tin (mono-, di-, trialkylated forms) and butyltin compounds (mono- and dialkylated forms) occur at all stages of the water treatment process. Butyltins were found at low concentration levels which tends to show that the weathering of PVC is a minor phenomenon. High methyltin contents were however found which illustrate the high methylation rate in sewage water; a general removal trend from the water is observed for inorganic and methyl-tin species both in raw water and filtered water samples. Volatilization of tin compounds is observed in the anaerobic fermentation steps of the activated sludge. Possible pathways for transformation of tin (methylation, volatilization) during the wastewater treatment are discussed. © 1993