Photodegradation of Tributyltin Chloride in Sea Water by Ultraviolet Light

Abstract

Photodegradation of tributyltin chloride (TBTC) in sea water by irradiation with ultraviolet light has been investigated by means of gas chromatography equipped with an electron-capture detector (ECD-GC). For ultraviolet light irradiation was used Fadometer (Model: Mitsubishi MH-1, high pressure mercury vapour lamp: H 400-F, main wavelength: 365 nm, intensity: 8.68 x 103 μW/cm²). After irradiation, the residue of TBTC in sea water was extracted into hexane and measured by gas chromatography. Recoveries of TBTC from sea water sample were 93-97%-at 1.2 μg/ml and the relative standard deviation of peak area (n=5) was 3.3%. From this photod. egradation work, the half-life of TBTC in sea water was estimated to be 257 h (about 11 d). It was, suggested, that TBTC in sea water was decomposed to other butyltin compounds such as di- and monobutyltin compounds by irradiation with ultraviolet light.