Accumulation of bis(tributyltin) oxide by the marine mussel Mytilus edulis

• Published in: Environmental science & technology 1986-09, Vol.20 (9), p.884-890
• Main Authors: Laughlin, Roy B, French, Willie, Guard, H. E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Isochrysis galbana; Marine and brackish environment; Mytilus edulis
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es00151a006

Marine mussels were exposed to carbon-14 labelled tributyltin oxide (TBTO). TBTO was absorbed whether it was dissolved in water at 0.5 ug per litre or whether it was associated with phytoplankton Isochrysis galbana. Assay was carried out by scintillation counting after incinerating all soft tissue contents of the mussels. Uptake occurred more rapidly and gave higher burdens when TBTO was associated with phytoplankton. Highest burdens were in gills (5 ug TBTO per g). The bioconcentration factor from water was approximately 5000, but less than 2 from phytoplankton. Depuration on return of exposed mussels to the field had a 14-day half-life. Depuration rate constants estimated from uptake data did not agree with those estimated from release phase data, suggesting differences in processes in the laboratory when compared with those in the field. Humic acid or kaolin did not significantly reduce TBTO accumulation. There was a 10-fold excess in TBTO accumulation when comparing bioconcentration factors with predictions from behaviour of model hydrocarbons and synthetic organic compounds.