Stratification and tributyltin variability in San Diego Bay

Tributyltin (TBT), a biocidal antifoulant in many marine paints, was measured in near-surface and near-bottom water over a 25 h period at the entrance to a marina in San Diego Bay, USA. Surface water concentrations varied from 20 to 225 nanograms per liter (ng dm−3) as TBT chloride and bottom water varied from non-detectable (<1 ng dm−3) to 77 ng dm−3. Surface water concentrations varied, with highest concentrations associated with ebbing tides, and lowest concentrations with flooding tides, indicating that the yacht basin is a source of TBT. Bottom water TBT concentrations were almost always lower than corresponding surface water concentrations. The highest bottom water concentrations were associated with flooding tides and lowest surface water TBT concentrations. Physical water column measurements indicate that vertical stratification developed during ebbing tides and dissipated during flooding tides. This accounted for maximum bottom water and minimum surface water TBT concentrations during flooding tides, due, at least in part, to vertical mixing and dilution during flood tides.