Measurement of Tributyltin Contamination of Sediments and Crassostrea Virginica in the Southern Chesapeake Bay

Abstract

Tributyltin concentrations in sediments and American oysters, Crussostreu virginicu, from the southern Chesapeake Bay have been determined. Concentrations in both sediments and oysters were correlated with commercial shipping and recreational boating activity. Sediment concentrations as high as 4,000 pg kg-l dry weight were observed in a marina. Detection limits in sediment were 1 to 14 p g kg-I, depending on sediment type. Tributyltin was found in all Crussostreu virginicu, including [those from] locations where the compound could not be detected in sediment. Concentrations in Crussostreu virginicu ranged from <10 pg kg-' dry weight on the Atlantic Coast of Virginia to 5,600 pg kg-' in the Elizabeth River, Virginia.

Toxicological response of the symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasia pallida to butyltin contamination

“…As a consequence. the DBT levels found in Ajptasia pallida fall within the range of butyltin concentrations measured in biota from mildly to highly contaminated areas around the world (Espourteille et al 1993. Uhler et al 1993, Stewart & Thompson 1994).…”

“…This widespread biocide was mainly used as an anti-fouling agent in paints for boat hulls and fishing equipment. Although its use on small craft has been banned in many countries, the occurrence of TBT in the environment is still a case for concern in Europe, Asia and North America (Stewart & d e Mora 1990, Higashiyama et al 1991, Cocchieri et al 1993, Espourteille et al 1993, Uhler et al 1993, Stewart & Thompson 1994, but especially in tropical regions like Fiji, where it was recently detected in bivalves and sediment in concentrations up to 3.18 and 38 pg g-' dry mass, respectively (Stewart & d e Mora 1992). Concentrations of TBT and its degradation product dibutylin (DBT) in seawater can reach several pg 1-' in very polluted areas while levels ranging between 10 and 100 ng I-' are commonly detected (Stewart & d e Mora 1990, Cocchieri et al 1993.…”

Fate of tributyltin in a created tidal wetland

“…Sediments were homogenized and dosed to approximately 200 ng/g of TBT with TBT chloride in 10 ml of ethanol. This concentration was determined to be representative of a relatively high, but realistic, value found in sediments from harbor areas of the Chesapeake Bay (VA, USA), San Diego Bay (CA, USA), and Pearl Harbor (HI, USA) [16,17]. Ten milliliters of ethanol (0.14 ml ethanol/kg sediment) without the TBT chloride spike were added to uncontaminated sediment to rule out any carrier effects from the ethanol.…”

Magnification of tributyl tin toxicity to oyster larvae by bioconcentration in biofilms of Shewanella colwelliana

“…High concentrations of TBT have been detected in the Chesapeake basin, particularly in marinas, which had levels of 0.05 to 0.3 ng of TBT/ml (13,14); concentrations in sediments may be much higher (6). Similar concentrations of TBT are found in other parts of the United States (32) and Europe (7,24).…”