Effect-directed analysis of hazardous organic chemicals released from ship hull hydroblasting effluents and their emission to marine environments

초록

Hydroblasting of ship hulls is a significant source of chemical emissions into marine environments, releasing a complex mixture of paint-derived constituents including biocides, pigments, polymeric binders, plasticizers, light stabilizers, and compounds from adhesives and sealants. Although the International Convention on Antifouling Systems highlights the importance of waste management, many countries, including South Korea, have not yet implemented specific regulations addressing hydroblasting effluents. Most existing studies have focused on target biocides, leaving other toxic chemical classes underexplored. This study applied effect-directed analysis to assess hydroblasting effluents using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Toxicity screening revealed that the whole effluent exhibited significant toxic effects in zebrafish embryos. Fractionation analysis showed that, of 10 collected fractions, fractions 2 and 3 displayed slight toxicity, while fractions 4-9 showed high toxicity. Non-targeted analysis (NTA) identified 68 compounds in positive electrospray ionization mode and 25 in negative mode in the whole effluent. NTA of individual fractions revealed respective compounds contributing to the observed toxicity. Known toxicants were detected specifically in the toxic fractions. Seven toxicants were confidently identified at Level 1 using authentic standards. Quantitative analysis estimated that the release of these toxicants ranged from 0.16 to 121.83 g per hull cleaning of the one studied ship. When extrapolated globally, annual emissions were estimated to exceed 16 tons. These findings highlight the substantial environmental risks associated with hydroblasting and emphasize the need for regulatory oversight and targeted mitigation strategies to reduce its ecological impact on marine ecosystems.

키워드