Organotin compounds in marine sediments

Organotin compounds are widely used in almost all sectors of industry. Antifouling paints, which were applied to ship hulls to protect from fouling organisms, are the main source of TBT and TPhT derivatives loaded into the sea. The global ban on the use of these compounds in antifouling systems was introduced by the IMO in 2001. However, the ban did not solve the problem of the use of alternatives to TBT in the ship industry. Moreover, the issue of storing the organotins-containing dredged spoils at sea still remains unresolved. The pollution load deposited in port sediments may become an additional threat to the organisms that dwell in a given water basin. In such cases, it is necessary to establish appropriate norms for the quality classification of dredged spoils. Unfortunately, detailed guidelines concerning the disposal of dredged spoils are still lacking.