The Effects of Tributyltin on the Marine Environment
Pollutants that resist breakdown and accumulate in the food chain are of great concern because they are consumed or absorbed by fish and other marine wildlife, which in turn are consumed by humans (NOAA, 2003). One of the most dangerous and controversial contaminants today is tributyltin (TBT). Tributyltin is one of the most poisonous substances to be released to the aquatic environment (Knutzen, 1995). It is used in many of the world’s marine paints to keep barnacles, seaweed, and other organisms from clinging to ships.