W10 PM Environmental Interactions of Marine Antifoulants
Wednesday, 16 November 2005: 1:50 PM - 5:30 PM in 341-342

(SCH-1117-864151) Assessment of Copper Concentrations and Toxicity in Marinas of Southern California.

Schiff, K.¹, Brown, J.¹, Greenstein, D.¹, Bay, S.¹, Diehl, D.¹, ¹ Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Westminster, CA, USA

ABSTRACT- Despite their importance, marinas receive numerous discharges of potential pollutants. In specific, copper has been identified as a pollutant of concern. Based on previous research, an average 4 ug/m2/day is emitted from antifouling paint on the bottom of recreational vessels. Approximately 17 metric tons of dissolved copper is emitted into marinas of the Southern California region each year. The protected waters of marinas can exacerbate these copper emissions because of limited mixing and dilution. Despite the environmental concerns regarding copper emissions from antifouling paints, relatively little monitoring of marinas occurs. The goal of this study was to conduct a large-scale assessment of the water quality in marinas of the San Diego Region. More than 40 marinas, harboring over 10,000 vessels, were monitored over a 100 km stretch of the southern California coastline. Using a stratified random sampling design, water samples were collected at multiple depths, and measured for dissolved and particulate copper. Results were used to estimate the relative extent and magnitude of copper contamination, including copper mass in the water column and exchange with marina sediments. Water quality was also evaluated with toxicity tests using larval Mytilus edulis. A subset of the most toxic samples, collected from multiple marinas, were subjected to toxicity identification evaluations (TIEs) to characterize, confirm, and verify copper as the true toxicant.

Key words: copper, marina, mytilus edulis, TIE