Acronym ECOBOAT
Category
Fisheries
Title Study of the ecological risk associated with the use of antifouling paints with organometallic and metallic biocides on the portuguese coast Programme National Programme
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National Coordinator Carlos Miguez Coordinator email NA
Coordinator institution
CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (Portugal)
Institutions involved
NA
Start year 2005 End year 2008 Funding (€) € 71,398 Website https://www.cesam-la.pt/projetos/ecoboat-estudo-do-risco-ecologico-associado-a-utilizacao-de-tintas-antivegetativas-com-biocidas-organometalicos-e-metalicos-na-costa-portuguesa-2/ Summary "The use of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) in antifouling paints has created a serious pollution problem on a global scale. As a result, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) banned the application of antifouling paints with organotins on all types of vessels from 2003 and banned their use from 2008. As a result, TBT and TPT are currently being replaced by other biocides, most notably copper and zinc-based compounds. The main objective of this project is to assess the ecological risk associated with increased environmental contamination by copper and zinc, and to compare this risk with that associated with contamination by organotins.
The risk assessment will consider (i) the potential exposure of organisms to TBT, TPT, copper and zinc on the Portuguese coast and (ii) the potential effects of those organometals and metals on marine and estuarine communities, in order to assess the potential negative impacts caused by antifouling paints on the Portuguese coast. For the characterization of the potential exposure, the level of contamination of water, sediment and biota by TBT (and its degraded forms), TPT (and its degraded forms), copper and zinc will be evaluated in 44 sampling stations distributed along the entire western coast of Portugal. The sampling strategy aims to describe contamination gradients from probable sources of contamination – ports, marinas and shipyards – usually located within estuarine systems, towards adjacent coastal areas directly exposed to the sea. Stations previously sampled in other studies regarding contamination by organotin compounds will be included for comparison of their temporal evolution and evaluation of the effectiveness of the IMO ban. The evaluation of the potential effects of contamination by TBT, TPT, copper and zinc on organisms will be done through laboratory toxicological tests focusing on aspects never described related to the survival, growth and fecundity of marine and estuarine species of the Portuguese coast (marsh plants, molluscs, crustaceans and fish). This information will be complemented by an extensive literature search on the biological effects caused by those contaminants on other species of all taxa. The analysis of the results will allow (i) to make a comparative assessment of the ecological impacts associated with the use of antifouling paints with and without organotin compounds on the Portuguese coast, (ii) to identify the biocides with the greatest impact in specific sites, (iii) to define residual levels of contamination and (iv) to develop methodologies for future pollution monitoring. The results will be presented in congresses, annual reports and publications in international refereed journals. At the end of the project, a report will be made, an interactive website will be built, a DVD will be built, and seminars will be held at the University and in two secondary schools in Aveiro."
Keywords
Impacts;
Monitoring;
Fish;
Shellfish;
Mollusc;
Toxic substances;
Crustacean;
Marine Region
38
Portuguese Waters (27.IXa,27.IXb)
1
Marine Region Map
