Tributyltin in Sydney Harbour and Georges River Waters

Abstract

Water from 23 sites in Sydney Harbour and the Georges River estuary (N.S.W.) have been analysed for tributyltin (TBT) using gas chromatography with electron capture detection, after solvent extraction as the hydride. Analytical data for TBT in Sydney waters are consistent with other data reported for overseas estuaries, with the majority of samples containing less than 45 ng Sn L^-1 as TBT. Samples from areas of high boating activity such as Rushcutters Bay and Garden Island gave the highest TBT concentrations at 90-190 ng Sn L^-1.

The mean ambient TBT concentration in each estuary was computed using a tidal prism model. Despite the broad assumptions made, calculated results agreed well with those measured at sites with no obvious local point source of TBT.