Record Display for the EPA National Library Catalog

RECORD NUMBER: 14 OF 21

Main Title Pollutant Dynamics as Influenced by Seagrass Beds: Experiments with Tributyltin in 'Thalassia' Microcosms.
Author Levine, S. N. ; Rudnick, D. T. ; Kelly, J. R. ; Morton, R. D. ; Buttel, L. A. ;
CORP Author Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. Ecosystems Research Center. ;University of West Florida, Pensacola.;Environmental Research Lab., Gulf Breeze, FL.
Publisher c1990
Year Published 1990
Report Number EPA/600/J-90/516;
Stock Number PB91-206888
Additional Subjects Tributyltin ; Water pollution effects(Plants) ; Seagrasses ; Marine biology ; Aquatic ecosystems ; Toxic substances ; Food chains ; Sediments ; Carbon 14 ; Reprints ; Thalassia testudinum
Holdings
Library Call Number Additional Info Location Last
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Status
NTIS  PB91-206888 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 28p
Abstract
Partitioning, degradation, and bioaccumulation of the potent biocide tributyltin (TBT) was measured in marine microcosms that included sediment cores from a subtropical seagrass bed (with Thalassia testudinum and associated fauna). Over 3 or 6 weeks, 48 microcosms were dosed with (14)C-labelled TBT, and flushed with flowing seawater between doses. TBT was rapidly removed from the water column, with half times of only 10-20 h. Adsorption onto sediments and grasses was temporary; however, at harvest, the seagrass microcosms contained just 15-20% of the (14)C that was added, and half of this label was in degradation products. The initial attraction between TBT and seagrasses and sediments provided a means for TBT concentration that lead to its accumulation in Fauna; at harvest, 2-6% of the (14)C in microcosms was in animals. Thus, TBT must continue to be viewed as a hazardous compound, and seagrass beds should be considered vectors for distribution of TBT through coastal food chains.