title: Seasonal variations of imposex indices and butyltin concentrations in the rock shell Thais clavigera collected from Hong Kong waters.
abstract: This study investigated butyltin contamination in Hong Kong waters using the rock shell Thais clavigera as a biomonitor. We collected rock shells from nine coastal sites in both winter 2005 and summer 2006 to examine the spatial and seasonal patterns. The relative penis size index (RPSI) and vas deferens sequence index (VDSI) were determined following a standard protocol, while the tissue concentrations of butyltins (i.e., mono-, di- and tri-butyltin) were measured using gas chromatography. The results showed that imposex was particularly severe in T. clavigera collected from Victoria Harbour, Pak Sha Wan and Sai Kung Pier where shipping activities were frequent. Both imposex indices had a positive correlation with tissue concentration of tributyltin in T. clavigera. While VDSI exhibited little seasonal variation, RPSI of winter specimens was significantly higher than that of summer specimens. Thus, sampling season should be standardised when using RPSI as a biomarker.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. qiujw@hkbu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Jian-Wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Ka Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Kenneth Mei Yee
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D049851:Gastropoda / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006723:Hong Kong; D008297:Male; D009947:Organotin Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D012744:Sex Ratio; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D009947:Organotin Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical