title: Accumulation of butyltin compounds in cetaceans from Korean coastal waters.
abstract: Data on the occurrence and accumulation profiles of butyltins (BTs), including tributyltin (TBT), in marine mammals are scarce. This is the first study to investigate residue levels and accumulation patterns of BTs in cetaceans from Korean coastal waters. The total concentrations of BTs (sum of mono- to tri-butyltins) in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) ranged from 15.7 to 297 ng/g wet weight (mean: 100 ng/g wet weight) and from 59.0 to 412 ng/g wet weight (mean: 228 ng/g wet weight), respectively. Dibutyltin (DBT) accounted for 63% of the total BTs in all cetacean samples. Significant species-specific differences in BT concentrations, possibly due to the differences in their habitat and diet, were found between the two cetacean species. The concentrations of DBT and TBT in most cetacean samples exceeded the threshold value for cytotoxic effects in cetaceans, implying potentially adverse health risks from exposure to BTs.
authors.affiliation: Marine Environment Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 152-1, Haean-ro, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea. mkchoi@nfrdi.go.kr
authors.forename: Minkyu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hyo-Bang
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Yong-Rock
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Seok-Gwan
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hee-Gu
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050696:Common Dolphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D050636:Minke Whale / Q000378:metabolism*; D009947:Organotin Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D009947:Organotin Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical