Accumulation of Tributyl- and Triphenyltin Compounds in Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas, from the Chinhae Bay System, Korea

Abstract.

Butyl- and phenyltin residues were quantified in seawater and Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) from the Chinhae Bay System, Korea. Butyltin compounds were detected in all the seawater and C. gigas samples, whereas phenyltin compounds were not detected in any seawater samples. Tributyltin (TBT) concentrations in seawater ranged <8–35 ng Sn L⁻¹. TBT and triphenyltin (TPhT) concentrations in oysters ranged 95–885 and 155–678 ng Sn g⁻¹, respectively. Spatial distribution of TBT was closely related to boating and dry-docking activities. However, spatial distribution of TPhT was not consistent with that of TBT. The estimated biological concentration factor (BCF) for TBT in C. gigas was about 25,000. Furthermore, 19 and 28% of total body burdens of TBT and TPhT were found in gonadal mass of C. gigas just prior to the spawning period, indicating that a proportional amount of TBT and TPhT would be released with a following reproductive process.