Research Information Requirements Associated with the Environmental Fate and Effects of Organotin Compounds

This chapter identifies, delineates, and prioritizes research information requirements relative to the environmental ramifications associated with organotin compounds. The lack of appropriate priorities for strategic planning and managing research has been a serious problem for the evaluation of highly toxic organotin compounds. Degrees of scientific uncertainty have always reduced or eroded the confidence of policy and decision makers. This uncertainty points to the necessity for improved and standardized risk characterization protocols, which need to be developed to improve ecological risk assessment and management. The focus of future requirements for long-term research information for organotin compounds should be on (1) quantification of the sources and loading levels of TBT in the environment; (2) delineation of the dispersion rates, processes, and transport mechanism; (3) characterization of the exposure pathways to selective target organisms of high risk; (4) assessment of the factors influencing bioavailability and biological uptake mechanisms; (5) identification and characterization of degradation rates and metabolic pathways; (6) quantification of relationships between laboratory studies of cause and effects, and effects found in the field; (7) development of rapid and inexpensive low-level advanced analytical protocols; (8) numerical modeling and prediction of ecosystem concentrations; (9) development of standard reference materials; and (10) risk assessment protocols.