Diuron and Irgarol are antifouling booster that, despite evidences of their toxicities to various marine species, are still being used in paints of boats and marine structures. Irgarol has already been restricted in some countries though. In the present study, which is the first record of the antifouling biocides in this region characterized as one of the largest continuous mangrove area worldwide, the presence of both biocides was investigated during two years in surface water of a Port with intense maritime traffic (Itaqui Harbor, Northeastern Brazil). In order to select the analytical method with suitable sensitivity and selectivity, liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography with electrospray interface tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) were properly validated and compared. For both methods, samples were previously concentrated into solid phase extraction cartridges. LC-ESI-MS/MS was the selected method due to better sensibility. Diuron and Irgarol were identified, respectively, on thirteen and nineteen of the twenty-four samples and concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 7.80 µg L-1 and from 0.01 to 4.80 µg L-1, respectively. Such concentrations are environmentally relevant and might cause potential harm to aquatic organisms of the studied environment.
booster biocides; brazilian harbor; antifouling paints; diuron; irgarol
