Change in Retrospective Butyltin Compounds in Korean Bays

Abstract

The use of tributyltin (TBT) has been banned in Korea since 2003. In this study, changes in butyltin compound concentration from 1992 to 2009 were examined by area. The number of ships, which greatly influences butyltin compound contamination, continuously increased, but butyltin compound concentration decreased. Results indicated that the regulation of TBT is effective in Korea. The increase in the concentration was caused by military and coast-guard ships, ballast water, and the illegal use of materials. According to port distribution characteristics along the Korean coasts, the level of butyltin compound contamination was high along the west and south coasts in 1992, whereas it was high along the south and east coasts since 2006. We found that overall butyltin compound concentrations decreased in Korea, but concentrations remained high in some regions.