Effects of antifouling biocides to the germination and growth of the marine macroalga, Hormosira banksii (Turner) Desicaine.
The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) ban on the use of tributyltin in antifouling paints has inevitability increased the use of old fashioned antifoulants and/or the development of new paints containing 'booster biocides'. These newer paints are intended to be environmentally less harmful, however the broader environmental effects of these 'booster biocides' are poorly known. Germination and growth inhibition tests using the marine macroalga, Hormosira banksii (Turner) Desicaine were conducted to evaluate the toxicity of four new antifouling biocides in relation to tributyltin-oxide (TBTO). Each of the biocides significantly inhibited germination and growth of Hormosira banksii spores. Toxicity was in increasing order: diuron < zineb < seanine 211< zinc pyrithione < TBTO. However, the lack of knowledge on partitioning in the environment makes it difficult to make a full assessment on whether the four biocides tested offer an advantage over organotin paints in terms of environmental impact.
School of Ecology and Environment, Deakin University, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia. jhmyers@deakin.edu.au
Jackie H
JH
Myers
Leanne
L
Gunthorpe
Graeme
G
Allinson
Susan
S
Duda
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004237:Diuron / Q000633:toxicity; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D000459:Phaeophyceae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000633:toxicity; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds / Q000633:toxicity; D014739:Victoria; D015038:Zineb / Q000633:toxicity
D004202:Disinfectants; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011725:Pyridines; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds; C005961:bis(tri-n-butyltin)oxide; D004237:Diuron; C010423:pyrithione zinc; D015038:Zineb