@article{article_97115, title={ORGANOTIN POLLUTION IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT}, journal={Gazi University Journal of Science}, volume={18}, pages={517–528}, year={2010}, author={Kırlı, Lale}, keywords={Key Words: Bioindicator, global pollution monitoring, imposex, organotin compounds, tributyltin (TBT)}, abstract={ ABSTRACT The literature related to organotin compounds has been reviewed in this article. Tributyltin (TBT) has been used extensively as a biocide in antifouling paints for ship hulls. This organometallic compound is very efficient in preventing settlement of organisms on ships’ hulls, but has deleterious effects in non-target organisms. Especially gastropods and bivalves are among the most sensitive organisms. Due to their sensitive response several snail species have been used world wide as bioindicators of TBT pollution. In 1989 the European Union published a Directive (89/677/CEE) banning TBT from vessels smaller than 25 m. Following the ban on TBT-based antifouling paints in most of the developed countries, monitoring programs are currently carried out in order to assess the effectiveness of present regulation. Surveys carried out in different coastal areas and offshore waters and open seas. Monitoring data reveal that organotin compounds are ubiquitous in aquatic organisms and marine system. Therefore TBT pollution is still a major problem. In the review article, the chemical structure of organotin compounds, their detection methods in the samples which were collected from abiotic and biotic environment and produced the functional and structural changes on the bioindicator organisms have been discussed. The problems that could result from the legal regulations banning the organotin compounds in the antifouling paints have been emphasized.     }, number={3}, publisher={Gazi University}