Survey of Butyltin Compounds in Arachon Bay Sediments

Fourteen sediment cores drawn from Arachon Bay on the Atlantic coastline of France (1990) were evaluated for depth concentration profiles of butyltin compounds, constituents of antifouling paints. Butyltin concentrations varied widely, but were found in all samples, and this pollution has been linked with shell hardening in oysters. No relationship was demonstrated between depth and butyltin concentrations due to the hydrodynamical effects on sediment layers. Although tin-containing antifouling paints have been restricted since 1982, these pollutants remain in the sediments of Archachon Bay.