PURPOSE

The purpose of this project is to implement a study that would document the current levels of tributyltin (TBT) in the Elizabeth River and provide baseline data for future efforts to determine the trend of TBT concentrations found in the Elizabeth River Watershed. TBT concentrations can also be compared to non-industrialized areas outside the Elizabeth River to assess the relative status of TBT contamination in this watershed.

BACKGROUND 

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, in collaboration with the Elizabeth River Project, has prepared an Elizabeth River Monitoring Program (ERMP) that is designed to describe the trend in environmental conditions relating to five areas of concern to stakeholders. The five primary areas of concern are: sediment quality; water quality; habitat; living resources and quality of life.

This TBT monitoring project began in July of 1999 to evaluate the potential for TBT impacts on water quality in the Elizabeth River. By comparing monitoring results with areas outside the Elizabeth River basin, it will allow managers to assess how the Elizabeth River compares to other nearby, less industrialized regions.