Project
Summary
Antifouling paints are applied on the hulls of ships and boats to
control the growth of fouling organisms and reduce their deleterious
effects such as slowing of the ship speed, increase in fuel consumption
and maintenance costs, etc. TBT (tributyltin) paints replaced copper-based
paints due to their superior performance in terms of
efficacy and duration. However, TBT has been described as the most
toxic substance ever introduced into the marine environment. The high
toxicity of TBT together with its tendency to be accumulated in marine
organisms can cause heavy damage to marine organisms. The IMO (International
Maritime Organization) at a convention approved of a resolution, which
includes complete prohibition of organotin compounds in antifouling
systems by 2008. Signatures of about 25 nations, whose combined flagged
fleet equals 25% of the world fleet, are necessary for the convention
to come into force. However, concerns have been raised that the hostility
towards the use of TBT appears to be based on a very biased assessment.
Environmental benefits of TBT have been ignored and little thought
has been given to a technical rather than a legislative solution to
control TBT inputs into the environment. Long-term biocidal properties
of existing alternatives are largely untested as also their environmental
impacts. The indicator used for determining environmental impacts
such as imposex has been challenged by the scientists. In this context,
the project examines the implications of pollution by TBT and its
ban, and costs and benefits of TBT-based antifoulants and other alternatives.
It will suggest alternative antifouling strategies, develop tools
for monitoring and managing environmental impacts of organotin compounds,
and raise awareness towards this end. It will also develop a biomonitoring
system to regulate the impacts of TBT that exist in coastal environments.
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