Tributyltin Compound in Sediments and Tissues of Oysters and Rock Shell in Gwangyang Bay, Korea

Abstract

Tributyltin (TBT) and its degradation products, dibutyltin (DBT) andmonobutyltin (MBT) were quantitatively determined in surface sediments and twomolluscan species, Pacific oyster ( Crassostrea gigas ) and rock shell ( Thais clavigera ),from Gwangyang Bay, Korea. Butyltin compounds were detectable in almost all sedi-ment and biota samples. Tributyltin concentrations in surface sediment ranged 2~ 33ng g-1, which is at a lower end of TBT concentrations in industrialized bays in Korea.However, TBT levels in sediments were related to boating activities around the bay. Inbiota samples, TBT concentrations were in the range of 178 ~ 2,458 ng g-1 for oyster and47~ 236 ng g-1 for rock shell. Relatively high TBT concentrations in biota were foundnear wharves for fisherboats and harbor areas. About 90 ~ 100% of the female T. clav-igera displayed imposex, and relative penis length index of the imposexed -female wasin the range of 20.9 ~ 107.9%. Furthermore, TBT body residue had a significant positiverelationship with degree of imposex in T. clavigera . Overall, TBT concentrations inGwanyang Bay were much lower than other major bays in Korea.