Assessment of effects of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated timber on non-target epibiota by investigation of fouling community development at seven European sites.

Craig J Brown, Rodney Eaton, Simon Cragg, Philippe Goulletquer, Artemis Nicolaidou, Maria Bebianno, John Icely, Geoffrey Daniel, Thomas Nilsson, Andrew Pitman, Gervais Sawyer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To assess the effect of the anti-marine-borer timber preservative CCA (a pressure-impregnated solution of copper, chromium, and arsenic compounds) on nontarget epibiota, fouling community development was investigated. Panels of Scots pine treated to target retentions of 12, 24, and 48 kg CCA per m(3) of wood (covering the range of retentions recommended for marine use) plus untreated controls were submerged at seven coastal sites (Portsmouth, UK; La Tremblade [two sites], France; Ria Formosa, Portugal; Sagres, Portugal; Kristineberg, Sweden; Athens, Greece). The fouling community on the surfaces of the panels was assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively after 6, 12, and 18 months of exposure. Multivariate statistical methods were used to compare community structure between panel treatments. Panels treated to the three CCA loadings supported very similar fouling assemblages, which in most cases had higher numbers of taxa and individuals than assemblages on untreated panels. No detrimental effects on epibiota due to CCA preservatives were detected at any of the treatment levels at all seven exposure sites, suggesting that the range of environmental conditions at the sites had no bearing on preservative impact on fouling biota. Differences in community structure between CCA-treated and untreated panels may be due to enhanced larval settlement on CCA-treated timber by some species as a result of modifications to the surface properties of the timber by the preservative. Possible reasons for the higher numbers of certain species on the surface of CCA-treated panels are discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-47
Number of pages11
JournalARCH ENVIRON CON TOX
Issue number45/1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Keywords

  • TREATED WOOD
  • Environmental Sciences
  • SETTLEMENT
  • CHROMIUM
  • TOXICITY
  • WOOD PRESERVATIVES
  • INVERTEBRATES
  • RELEASE
  • CHEMISTRY
  • ESTUARIES
  • REDUCTION
  • Toxicology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Assessment of effects of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated timber on non-target epibiota by investigation of fouling community development at seven European sites.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this