Removal of Tributyltin in Shipyard Waters: Characterization and Treatment to Meet Low Parts per Trillion Levels
Removal of tributyltin (TBT) from shipyard waters has been conducted in Virginia shipyards for over 2.5 years and has resulted in a 99% reduction of TBT discharged to coastal-estuarine waters. This has been achieved by conventional coagulation clarification for particulate TBT removal and removal of dissolved TBT using activated carbon. Although advances have been made in the understanding of TBT removal under various treatment conditions, TBT removal with the existing full-scale treatment plant to levels that would comply with a 50 parts per trillion (pptr) discharge limit are not possible. Results from study efforts that are currently ongoing suggest that the 50 pptr limit might be reached using ultraviolet irradiation or ozonation and that both processes would be substantially improved with the addition of hydrogen peroxide to promote hydroxyl radical formation.