Assessment of butyl- and phenyltin pollution in the coastal environment of Korea using mussels and oysters.
Butyl- and phenyltin residues in bivalves were quantified around the coast of Korean peninsula in 1995-1998 and 2001. Butyltin compounds were detected at all the sites surveyed, whereas phenyltins were detected at 41 out of 67 sites in 1995-1998. Tributyltin (TBT) concentrations in bivalves ranged 48-2800 ng Sn/g on dry weight basis. Triphenyltin (TPT) concentrations ranged <3-1820. The mean TPT concentration was 3.5 times less than that of TBT. Spatial distribution of TBT was closely related to boating and dry-docking activities. TPT concentration in bivalves showed significant correlation with TBT. Concentrations of TBT in bivalves, 2001 are not significantly changed compared to those in 1995-1998. However, TPT concentrations in bivalves steeply decreased in 2001. High concentration of TBT and lesser extent TPT and their nation-wide distribution indicate that organotins are one of major organic pollutants in the marine environment of Korea.
Shim
Won Joon
WJ
Marine Environment Research Laboratory, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Jangmok-myon 391, Geoje-Shi 656-834, South Korea. wjshim@kordi.re.kr
Hong
Sang Hee
SH
Kim
Nam Sook
NS
Yim
Un Hyuk
UH
Li
Donghao
D
Oh
Jae Ryoung
JR
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007723:Korea; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D009947:Organotin Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D009947:Organotin Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical