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Assessment of antifouling agents in coastal environments

Objective



In 1989 the European Community introduced a directive to restrict the use of TBT-based antifouling paints on boats under 25m. This, in combination with other National and International legislation, has provoked paint manufacturers and chemica] companies to develop and vend a range of agents for ne v antifouling paints for the lucrative small boat market and as an addition to TBT-based fornnulations to enhance efficacy for larger vessels.
Examples of the types of compounds being used or promoted include: 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro4-(methyl sulphonyl) pyridine; 2methylthio-4-tertiary-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-s-triazine (IRGAROL 1051); cuprous thiocyanate; 2,4,5,6-tetrachlora iso phthalo nitrile; 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (SeaNine 211); dichlorophenyl dimethylurea (Diuron); 2(thiocyanomethyl thio)benzthiazole; zincpyrithione; 4-chloro-meta-cresol; arsenic trioxide; cis 1-(3-chloroallyl)- 3,5,7-triazal-azonia adamantane chloride; zineb; dichlofluanid; folpet; thirarn; oxy tetracycline hydrochloride; zirarn and maneb. This lisl includes compounds which are known to be highly toxic (e.g. cyanides, arsenicals) or to act as endocrine disruptors (e.g. maneb, ziram) but negligible data concerning contamination, (potential) effects and risks of these compounds in the coastal and marine environment are available.
Antifouling paints are a neccessity for shipping operators and are considered to be indispensible by owners of small boats. Consequently, the market of antifouling paints is large. Effective alternatives to TBT-based antifoulings have a large perspective from the commercial point of view. Without a well-founded management strategy, however, large environmental problems may lay await. IRGAROL may be an exarnple. Recent publications indicate that current levels of contamination in European coastal zones will give rise to perturbations in coastal phytoplankton communities. This concern has led the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP) of the United Nations to consider this compound into more detail. The information on IRGAROL as well on other alternatives is, however, very limited.
This proposed project has the objective to provide information and tools which enable environmental managers at national and international levels to address the issue of antifouling agents in a systematic, effective manner in an early stage of the use ol these compounds. In this manner, a contribution is made to prevention of problems. The following activities are to be carried out:
1. to survey antifouling agents and products being used and marketed; 2. to assess geographical patterns / differences in usage; 3. to establish a database with environmental and toxicological properties of these compounds using information from literature or employing data generated in the project; 4. to develop suitably sensitive analytical techniques to measure environmental levels (and to intercompare analyses) 5. to assess the extent of contamination of European coastlines 6. to investigate fates and effects in (semi-) field conditions 7. to predict future concentrations levels and effects in a selected European coastal zones with models using the data obtained; 8. to compare the products regarding environmental properties (fate, toxicity) and effects using different scenario's for usage.
Partners involved comprise expert analytical /environmental and ecotoxicological institutions with considerable experience in marine science. They represent several EU States and cover a large proportion and diverse EU coastal areas. An industrial perspective is included through the participation of an antifouling biocide manufacturer.

Call for proposal

Data not available

Coordinator

NERC Centre of Coastal and Marine Sciences
EU contribution
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Address
Prospect Place West Hoe
PL1 3DH Plymouth
United Kingdom

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Total cost
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Participants (7)