title: Volatilization of organotin species from municipal waste deposits: novel species identification and modeling of atmospheric stability.
abstract: Organotin compounds are used as pesticides and fungicides as well as additives in plastics. This study identifies the de novo generation of novel volatile organotins in municipal waste deposits and their release via landfill gas. Besides tetramethyltin (Me(4)Sn), a strong neurotoxin, and 5 previously reported organotins, 13 novel ethylated, propylated, and butylated tetraalkyltin compounds were identified. A concentration of 2-4 μg of Sn m(-3) landfill gas was estimated for two landfill sites in Scotland. The atmospheric stability of Me(4)Sn and methylated tin hydrides was determined empirically in a static atmosphere in the dark and under UV light to simulate night- and daytime conditions. Theoretical calculations were carried out to help predict the experimentally obtained stabilities and to estimate the relative stabilities of other alkylated species. Assuming first-order kinetics, the atmospheric half-life for Me(3)SnH was found to be 33 ± 16 and 1311 ± 111 h during day- and nighttime conditions, respectively. Polyalkylation and larger alkyl substitutes tend to reduce the atmospheric stability. These results show that substantial concentrations of neurotoxic organotin compounds can be released from landfill sites and are sufficiently stable in the atmosphere to travel over large distances in night- and daytime conditions to populated areas.
authors.affiliation: Trace Element Speciation Laboratory, Chemistry, College of Physical Science, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, United Kingdom. toyoda.s.aa@m.titech.ac.jp
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Krupp
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Merle
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Foote
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maubec
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feldmann
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009947:Organotin Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D014001:Tin / Q000737:chemistry; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D009947:Organotin Compounds; D010575:Pesticides; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D017665:Hydroxyl Radical; D014001:Tin