A healthy marine environment is essential for Australia’s current and future well-being. As a consequence Australia has entered into international agreements and introduced legislation to help preserve marine ecosystems and prevent marine pollution.

Organotins are toxic to aquatic life as they are endocrine-disruptor chemicals and are known to bioaccumulate in marine life. Even at very low levels organotins severely impact the health and development of marine life such as oysters and mussels. Organotins have been widely used in many industrial, chemical and agricultural applications.

In 2003 the International Maritime Organisation banned the use of tributyltin as a biocide in anti-fouling paint, however organotins are persistent and continue to be found even in remote locations. Organotins are common contaminants in ports and harbours and are often present at significant levels in berths and inner harbour areas. As a result, the detection of organotins at trace levels in marine samples has become increasingly important.

Click here for more information on organotin analysis in the marine environment.