- Tin of copper-containing anti-fouling paint, Ecomare
Copper
Copper is a heavy metal. It ends up in the marine environment particularly through rivers and polluted dredged materials. Since the ban on using paint containing tin, copper is often used as an anti-fouling material on ship hulls. In the vicinity of military training grounds, the bottom can be locally polluted with copper from remnants of ammunition. The Netherlands is responsible for around 25% to the total load of copper in the North Sea. A concentration of 0.5 micrograms of copper per liter seawater will decrease photosynthesis in algae (and thereby growth). Crustaceans are affected when concentrations are higher (around 10 micrograms per liter).
- Copper levels in the Netherlands
- Average copper levels, graph by Michel Vloon, based upon data from the Yearbook Monitoring of National waters from RIKZ
The target value for copper levels in suspended material is 36 milligram copper per kilogram dry weight. The graph shows that copper levels in coastal and tidal waters were below the target level since 1988.
- Copper levels in the Netherlands
The target value for copper levels in suspended material is 36 milligram copper per kilogram dry weight. The graph shows that copper levels in coastal and tidal waters were below the target level since 1988.
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