Organotin pollution from pleasure craft at Paraty, a tourist area of Southeastern Brazil: amelioration or interference?

Despite the global ban on organotins, persistent levels of tributyltin (TBT) and its breakdown products dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) were detected in mangrove sediments at Paraty, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its culture and biodiversity. The study found TBT concentrations ranging from 16.0 to 205.7 ng Sn g-1, even at reference sites, indicating ongoing illegal use on small pleasure craft. Increased imposex incidence in the gastropod Stramonita haemastoma suggests recent TBT inputs, potentially interfering with endocrine disruption assessments. The research highlights the need for stricter enforcement and monitoring to mitigate environmental impacts in this ecologically significant tourist area.

Borges, C. d. L. L., Fernandez, M. A. d. S., Castro, Í. B., & Fillmann, G. (2013). Organotin pollution from pleasure craft at Paraty, a tourist area of Southeastern Brazil: amelioration or interference? Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 61(3), 177–186. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1679-87592013000300002