Lead Author: Sangeeta Sonak (other articles)

Article Topics: Marine ecology and Oceans

This article has been reviewed and approved by the following Topic Editor: Mark McGinley (other articles)

 

As organotins are highly effective against most fouling organisms, their application resulted in enormous savings to the shipping industry. In fact, organotin-based, in particular tri-substituted organic compounds of tin (tributyltin, TBT), paints are described as the most effective antifouling paints ever devised for use on boat hulls. TBT has also been described as the most toxic substance ever introduced into the marine environment, especially because it is directly released into the aquatic environment. The high toxicity of TBT, together with its tendency to get accumulated in marine organisms, can adversely affect marine organisms, particularly mollusks and gastropods.

 

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