Imposex levels and concentrations of organotin compounds (TBT and its metabolites) in Nassarius nitidus from the Lagoon of Venice.
Specimens of Nassarius nitidus were collected in seven stations of the Venice Lagoon to assess the levels of tributyltin (TBT) and its metabolites monobutyltin and dibutyltin in the tissues and monitor their effect on organisms, in particular the phenomenon of imposex (superimposition of male sexual characteristics on females). The following values of population indices were found: vas deferens sequence: 1.2+/-0.7-4.0+/-0.5; relative penis length: 6-47%. The least impacted station was situated in the northern part of the Lagoon, where females without imposex were found and Butyltin (BuTs) concentrations in the organisms (average sum of BuTs=43+/-14 ngSng(-1)w.) were significantly lower than in the other stations (range of average sum of BuTs: 101+/-22-217+/-27 ngSng(-1)d.w.). Population indices were found to be related to the TBT content in the tissues. In particular VDSI had a significant logarithmic correlation: r=0.95, n=8, p<0.05.
Pavoni
Bruno
B
Dipartimento Scienze Ambientali, Università di Venezia, Calle Larga S. Marta 2137, 30123 Venezia, Italy. brown@unive.it
Centanni
Elena
E
Valcanover
Sara
S
Fasolato
Marco
M
Ceccato
Silvia
S
Tagliapietra
Davide
D
D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D009947:Organotin Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects; D012908:Snails / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D009947:Organotin Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical