Low organotin contamination of harbour sediment in Svalbard

Abstract

Arctic sea routes are opening up for maritime transport due to sea ice retreat leading to increasing human activities in the Arctic and concomitant pressures on the environment. Organotin compounds are used in antifouling paints of large seagoing vessels and are known to leach into the marine environment and accumulate in sediments and biota. As organotin levels in Svalbard sediments have not been documented in peer-reviewed literature before, this study describes the levels in sediment of harbours around Svalbard (Ny-Å lesund, Longyearbyen, Svea, Pyramiden and Barentsburg). Organotin levels in sediments of Svalbard harbours were low (below the detection limit up to 14 ng Sn/g dw sum-butyltin) compared to other Arctic regions with a longer history of shipping. Levels were below known no effect levels and in accordance, no imposex was found in marine whelks from Ny-Å lesund harbour. Of all other analysed compounds in sediments of Kongsfjorden (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenylethers and perfluorinated compounds) PAH levels were highest and in one sample above action levels. It is advised to continue monitoring contaminant levels, for which the current results form a good basis. If contaminant levels rise, mitigation measures can be taken in time.

Ecosystem Kongsfjorden: new views after more than a decade of research

“…Organotin compounds used in antifouling paints of large seagoing vessels leach into the marine environment and accumulate in sediments and biota. Organotin levels in sediments of Svalbard harbours are still low (below the detection limit up to 14 ng Sn g -1 dw sum-butyltin) compared to other Arctic regions with a longer history of shipping (Van Heuvel-Greve et al 2016). However, contaminant levels in Kongsfjorden should be monitored and mitigation measures put into action if they increase.…”

Aliens on the Svalbard beach

“…Increased visitation by the public through ecotourism, scientific expeditions, the mining industry and shipping traffic puts the area at risk of both direct and indirect human impacts (e.g. Van den Heuvel-Greve et al, 2016;Wiencke & Hop, 2016;Renaud et al, 2015). In Svalbard, alien species are most likely to be introduced via biofouling of ship hulls (e.g.…”

An assessment of heavy metal contamination in the marine soil/sediment of Coles Bay Area, Svalbard, and Greater Bay Area, China: a baseline survey from a rapidly developing bay

“…Chen et al ( 2010 ) found that an elevated concentration of Fe, Mn, and Zn was found in Daya Bay, China, probably due to improper treatment of industrial effluent. On the other hand, van den Heuvel-Greve et al ( 2016 ) detected organotin was present in sediment and suggested to continue monitoring contaminated levels in Coles Bay, Svalbard. Generally speaking, the degraded estuaries have common characteristics: deteriorated coastal vegetation, hardened shoreline, and sediment/turbidity influx (Kennish 2012 ).…”