Difference between revisions of "TBT and intersex in periwinkles"
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<u>'''Main results of the study'''</u> | <u>'''Main results of the study'''</u> | ||
| − | The study showed that in all sampling regions, the occurrence of intersex characteristics in periwinkles decreased over the 3 year study period. Intersex characteristics were more | + | The study showed that in all sampling regions, the occurrence of intersex characteristics in periwinkles decreased over the 3 year study period. Intersex characteristics were more abundant at former TBT hotspots located near the harbor of Antwerp and Vlissingen. Also the percentage of sterile females decreased in all locations during the study period. These results show the positive effects of the TBT ban. Negative effects of this ban may be increased fuel coast due to the attachment of organisms on the hull of ships, and the use of less effective antifouling paints (copper based) which need to be applied more ofthen. [[Effects_of_copper-based_antifouling_paints_on_brine_shrimp|Copper might also be toxic at high concentrations.]] Therefore using copper based antifouling paints instead of TBT might just replace one environmental problem by another.<ref name="pub">[http://www.vliz.be/imis/imis.php?module=ref&refid=70468 De Wolf, H.; Handa, C.; Backeljau, T.; Blust, R. (2004). A baseline survey of intersex in Littorina littorea along the Scheldt Estuary, The Netherlands. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 48(5-6): 592-596]</ref> |
Revision as of 14:41, 17 July 2009
Context of the study
Organotin compounds (like TBT) used in antifouling paints can disrupt the endocrine system of many gastropod species. Concentrations of 1 ng tin / l sea water results in imposex, the development of non-functional male reproductive organs in females. In the periwinkle however, higher concentrations of TBT (> 10ng tin/l) can also cause intersex, the transformation of the oviduct into a non-functional prostate. Both conditions can lead to female sterility. After TBT was banned in 2003, many periwinkle populations stopped displaying imposex characteristics. It remains unknown whether they still display intersex characteristics. [1]
Content of the study
The study investigated the occurrence of intersex in periwinkles sampled at 5 locations in the Western Scheldt estuary between 2000 and 2002.
Main results of the study
The study showed that in all sampling regions, the occurrence of intersex characteristics in periwinkles decreased over the 3 year study period. Intersex characteristics were more abundant at former TBT hotspots located near the harbor of Antwerp and Vlissingen. Also the percentage of sterile females decreased in all locations during the study period. These results show the positive effects of the TBT ban. Negative effects of this ban may be increased fuel coast due to the attachment of organisms on the hull of ships, and the use of less effective antifouling paints (copper based) which need to be applied more ofthen. Copper might also be toxic at high concentrations. Therefore using copper based antifouling paints instead of TBT might just replace one environmental problem by another.[1]
