EFFECTS OF TBT CONTAMINATION ON NUCELLA POPULATIONS

Leachates from tributyltin (TBT) based antifouling paints induce the superimposition of male characters on females (imposex) in dogwhelk Nucella lapillus. Imposex is widespread in Britain. Contamination is localized close to source in most of the country, with the exception of the S coast where boating activity is intense. Investigation of paired shores along an uncontaminated and contaminated wave exposure gradient on the Isle of Man showed natural changes that occur in population structure and the decline in abundance due to TBT contamination. Community consequences of a TBT-induced decline in thaid predation and importance of the whelk as an indicator of TBT are discussed. -Authors