TITLE:
Organotin Compounds in Sediments of Northern Lakes, Egypt
AUTHORS:
Mohamed A. Shreadah, Safaa A. Abdel Ghani, Hamada B. I. Hawash, Asia Abd El Samie, Abd El Moniem M. Ahmed
KEYWORDS:
Organotin Compounds, Sediments, Lakes, Egypt
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Environmental Protection,
Vol.5 No.17,
December
15,
2014
ABSTRACT: This pioneered
study is aimed to determine the levels and distributions of organotin compounds
(OTCs) in sediment samples collected from five Egyptian lakes located in the
southern-eastern Mediterranean Sea. The paper has given an account of and the
reasons for the widespread distribution of Tributyltin (TBT) in northern lakes.
The percentage of TBT ranged from 4% - 100% OTC revealing recent inputs of TBT.
The highest average of TBT (2.84 μg/g Sn dry wt) was measured in lake Edku.
Dibutyltin (DBT) was observed at most sampled sites. Relatively higher
abundance of DBT was observed in sediments of EL-Burullus (0.69 μg/g Sn dry
wt). One of most significant findings to emerge from this study is the absence
of any strong and significant correlation between TBT and DBT in sediments from
five northern lakes. The absence of such correlation might give a clear
evidence that both compounds did not come from the same source. The observed OTC
levels indicate some highly localized areas of contamination which are severe
enough to cause harmful effects on marine flora and fauna. Except for
El-Burllus, Triphenyltin (TPhT) was not measured in sediments of most stations.
TPhT was the predominant species in El-Burullus, which indicate a source of
pollution mostly originated from industrial and agricultural waste water
discharge, organic wastes, commercial fertilizers, chemical wastes and
pesticides. The percentages of OTC to total tin ranged from 1% to 35%.
El-Brullus, Edku and El-Bardaweel exhibited the highest percentages. As a
result of lack of enforcement on the control of OTC, the study has thrown up
many questions need further detailed environmental assessment of OTC.