Fi nalRe por t Grant Number: R-91-1-04
Island Wide (Puerto Rico) and U.S. and British Virgin Islands Distribution and Impact study of Triazine constituents in Anti-fouling paints on inshore marine communities, and the Development/Incorporation of Bioassays for Assessment of Marine Pollution Par t ne r s Ernesto Otero and Kelly Carbery (1) Richard Owen (2) James Readman (3) 1 Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez 2 Science Group, Environment Agency, Block 1, Government Buildings, Burghill Road, Westbury-on-
Trym, Bristol BS10 6BF, UK 3 Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3DH, UK
I nt r oduc t i on Irgarol 1051 (N’-t e r t -butyl-N-cyclopropyl-6-(methylthio)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) is a potent herbicide added to various antifouling paints used mainly on recreational boats. The compound acts via the interruption of photosynthesis via inhibition of electron transport of photosytem II. Previous work have found Irgarol worldwide at concentrations up to thousands of ng/L. (reviewed by Konstantinou and Albanis, 2004; Gough et al., 1994; Toth et al., 1996; Zhou et al. 1996; Scarlett et al., 1997; Sargent et al. 2000; Thomas et al., 2000; Haglund et al. 2001; Albanis et al. 2002; Bowman et al., 2003; Hall Jr. et al., 2005; Owen et al., 2002; Gardinali et al. 2002, 2004; Connelly et al, 2001; Scarlett et al, 1999). Consequences of Irgarol pollution in marine systems include inhibition of phytoplankton, macroalgae, seagrass and coral primary production. This inhibitory effect suggests a profound impact in community structure and coral reef health. Owen et al (2002) found that Irgarol at >100ng/L caused a significant decrease in carbon fixation on Madr ac i scorals. Bowman et al (2003) suggest that concentrations of 63-250 ng/L may significantly decrease growth and reproduction in algae, concentrations which they commonly found in a UK marina. Such inhibition is believed to be unequal among species thus causing competitive disadvantages to some. For example, there is some evidence suggesting that the marine cyanobacteria Sy ne c hoc oc c usis more susceptible to Irgarol than certain Cryptophytes (Samora-Ley) while Nystrom et al (2002) suggest that macrophytes are more tolerant than phytoplankton. Since the effects of Irgarol are concentration dependent, understanding its temporal and spatial distribution is of utmost importance for management of coastal systems. A significant number of works are available about Irgarol in marine systems (see above). However, little was known of its presence in US. Caribbean waters, less so far about its temporal and spatial distribution, and potential deleterious effects on Caribbean coastal biota. Earlier findings (Hall Jr. et al, 2005) found limited ecological risk based on a