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Detection and Quantification of Antifouling Paint Particles in Marine Sediments by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.
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Boat paint that flakes off into the ocean doesn't just disappear — it breaks down into tiny plastic particles that can carry toxic chemicals into marine sediment, but until now these particles were hard to accurately measure. Scientists developed a new, more precise test that detects these paint fragments by tracking a natural pine-based ingredient in the paint, and found meaningful levels in sediment near Australian marinas. This matters because these particles may release harmful additives into waterways, and better detection tools are the first step toward understanding how much of this pollution ends up in seafood and, ultimately, in the food we eat.
Antifouling paint particles (APPs), a form of microplastic pollution derived from the fragmentation of marine coatings, have emerged as a notable environmental concern due to their persistence and potential toxicity. However, the accurate extraction, detection, and quantification of the smallest APP size fraction (<500 μm) remain significant challenges. This study reports the development and application of a sensitive analytical method for the detection and quantification of rosin-based APPs in marine sediments using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Rosin, a biobased resin derived from pine sap and widely used as a primary binder or cobinder in antifouling coatings, was targeted as a chemical marker for APPs. The method combines accelerated solvent extraction with Py-GC/MS detection of derivatized rosin pyrolysis products. Recoveries exceeded 95%. The rosin content in commercial antifouling paints varied from 14.3 to 68% (m/m), reflecting formulation differences. Application to sediments from Australian marinas revealed an average rosin concentration of 0.32 mg g sediment, estimated to be 0.47-2.2 mg g of APPs. While rosin serves as a tracer for APP quantification, the environmental concern primarily relates to the overall paint particles, which contain biocides and other additives. This method provides a robust approach for the trace-level quantification of APPs in complex matrices.
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Identification of antifouling paint particles among colored paint chips in coastal sediments of Phuket, Thailand, using Py-GC/MS.
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Scientists developed a new method to identify toxic paint chips from ship hulls (called antifouling paint) hiding among ordinary microplastic debris on the seafloor near Phuket, Thailand. Using this technique, they found that over half of the paint chips tested contained pesticide-like chemicals or high levels of copper meant to kill barnacles and algae—pollutants that can harm marine life and potentially work their way up the food chain to humans who eat seafood. This tool gives researchers a better way to track this hidden source of ocean pollution going forward.
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This study developed and evaluated analytical methods for detecting and characterizing boat paint microplastics in the marine environment, addressing a largely overlooked source of plastic pollution from antifouling and decorative coatings that enter seawater through normal boat use.
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A mass-based Py-GC/MS survey of microplastics in the German Bight (North Sea) found highly variable concentrations (2–1396 µg/m³) influenced by oceanographic conditions, with coastal samples showing packaging waste signatures and central areas revealing an unexpected signal consistent with marine antifouling paint.
Analysis of epoxy resin anti-corrosion coatings with (reactive) pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry
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Researchers developed a new method using reactive pyrolysis gas chromatography to analyze the complex chemical composition of anti-corrosion marine coatings, which are estimated to be a major source of microplastics in the ocean. Marine paint particles are difficult to study because they contain many different polymers and additives mixed together. The new analytical approach provides better chemical characterization of paint-derived microplastics, an important step toward understanding this overlooked pollution source.
Critical review of analytical methods for antifouling paint particles in marine systems
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This review critically examines the sources, sampling strategies, and analytical methods used to detect and quantify antifouling paint particles in marine environments. Researchers found that while recent studies have begun characterizing these particles, the methods used lack standardization and consistency. The study calls for the development of harmonized protocols to better assess the environmental prevalence and toxicity of paint-derived microparticles in the ocean.
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