Authors
Info
H.W. Shin1*, S.M. Jung1,
H.J. Lee1,T.H. Park1,
J.H. Yoon1,
K.S. Lee2, J.T. Kim3?
and
J. D. Lee4 ????
1Department of Life
Science and Biotechnology, Soonchunhyang University, 646 EupnaeRi,
ShinchangMyun, Asan City, Choongnam Do, 336-745, South Korea
2Department of
sports science, Soonchunhyang University, 646 EupnaeRi, ShinchangMyun, Asan
City, Choongnam Do, 336-745, South Korea
3Department of
Agriculutre, Fisheries, Livesstock and Economic committee, Jeju Special
Self-Governing Provincial Council, Jeju, 63119, South Korea
4Department of
Environmental health science, Soonchunhyang University, 646 EupnaeRi,
ShinchangMyun, Asan City, Choongnam Do, 336-745,
South Korea
*Corresponding
Author Email :
hwshin@sch.ac.kr
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Abstract
In recent years
the influx of tributyltin (TBT) pollutants in marine environment is of great
concern. Antifouling (AF) coating release is considered as one of the major
sources of TBT contamination. TBT is known to cause adverse negative impacts
like bioaccumulation, proliferation of shell deformities, imposex etc. It has
been well demonstrated that environmental TBT concentration lesser than 1ngSnl-1
induces ill effects in several sensitive non-targeted marine living
organisms. Besides, TBT accumulation in tissues of edible marine organisms
and corresponding accumulation in humans is on the increase. Among the Asian
countries, high frequency of imposex has been reported in Korea due to TBT
toxicity. But survivorship of sensitive planktonic organisms is yet to be
studied in detail. The existing local TBT restrictions and proposed
international ban on TBT by International Marine Organization (IMO) has
greatly helped in the restoration of growth and development of once severely
suffered TBT sensitive organisms. In some instances, it was also related to
'green tide' by a hypothesis that the over growth of green algal communities
has resulted due to TBT ban. Although Asian countries are major marine
aquaculture producers, comparatively lesser initiatives have been
incorporated in their national policies to combat TBT usage. It appears that
this may be largely due to cost-effectiveness, as TBT coatings have long
lasting effects. Many of the available alternative AF technologies are
comparatively less effective and not suitable for broad-spectrum
applications. In general, short longevity and cost-effectiveness are also a
major drawback in alternatives. However, research attempts directed AF
compounds extracted from marine natural products exhibit effective AF
activity against 'monospecific' foulers. Allelopathic natural deterrent
principles involved in these compounds have proved to be an eco-friendly AF technology.
Our experimental investigations show that few Korean marine algae have
broad-spectrum AF activity par with TBT. From the lessons learnt by many
developed countries with regard to TBT crisis and alarming levels of TBT
residues persisting in the Asian waters appropriate changes to be made in TBT
restriction policies are discussed. Based on the revelations, suggestions
were also made for effective means of controlling fouling organisms and to
chalk out concrete action plans to check the ever increasing TBT
contamination in the Asian waters.
Key words: Algae, Antifouling, Fouling organisms, Imposex,
Trybutylin contamination
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