Accumulation of bis(tributyltin) oxide by the marine mussel Mytilus edulis. [Hytilus edulis; Isochrysis galbana]

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00151a006· OSTI ID:6644537

Laughlin, Jr, R B; French, W; Guard, H E

Marine mussels, primarily Mytilus edulis, accumulated bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBT) when it was either dissolved in water (0.5 ..mu..g L/sup -1/) or associated (absorbed or adsorbed) with phytoplankton Isochrysis galbana. Uptake occurred rapidly under both protocols but was more rapid and caused higher TBT burdens when accumulation occurred by ingestion of phytoplankton. TBT accumulated differentially in tissues. Highest burdens in viscera or gills were approx.4.5 ..mu..g of TBT (g of tissue)/sup -1/ following water exposure lasting 47 days and approx.5 ..mu..g of TBT (g of gill)/sup -1/ or (g of viscera tissue)/sup -1/ following 30 days of exposure to contaminated Isochrysis. This corresponds to a bioconcentration factor of approx.5000 from water but <2 from food (on a ..mu..g g/sup -1/ basis). Mantle or muscle tissue had TBT burdens one-half to one-third the level of viscera or gill tissue. Steady state between water and tissue was not observed. When TBT exposed mussels were returned to the field, t/sub 1/2/ for depuration was approx.14 days. Depuration rate constants estimated from uptake and release phases did not agree. This observation suggests differences in laboratory and field depuration processes by bivalve molluscs. Therefore, bioconcentration factor (BCF) measurements made in the laboratory may not accurately predict those obtained from environmental exposures. Neither humic acids nor kaolin significantly reduced accumulation of TBT.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Oakland
• OSTI ID: 6644537
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 20:9; ISSN ESTHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
ANTIFOULANTS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BODY
CLAYS
CONTAMINATION
DATA
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
GILLS
HUMIC ACIDS
INFORMATION
INGESTION
INTAKE
INTESTINES
INVERTEBRATES
KAOLIN
MOLLUSCS
MUSSELS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHYTOPLANKTON
PLANKTON
POLLUTION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
TIN COMPOUNDS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
UPTAKE
WATER POLLUTION