TBT (Tributyltin)
D3. Marine environmental science, pollution and conservationDefinition
Organotin biocide formerly used in antifouling, banned by AFS Convention.
Tributyltin was the dominant antifouling biocide from the 1970s until its toxicity to non-target life, including imposex (sexual deformity) in marine snails at concentrations of nanograms per liter and shell thickening in oysters, forced a ban. The IMO Anti-fouling Systems (AFS) Convention, adopted 5 October 2001 and in force 17 September 2008, prohibits organotin antifouling systems on ships. TBT persists in harbor sediments as a legacy contaminant.
Source: IMO AFS Convention (2001, in force 2008)