INTERACTION OF TRIORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS WITH CHESAPEAKE BAY SEDIMENTS AND BENTHOS

Triorganotin compounds can interact with various segments of natural w ater systems. In sediments, for example, these compounds can undergo s peciation, and can also become injurious to benthos. The interactions of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) compounds with sediments h ave been studied using extraction techniques in addition to directly o bserving these compounds in sediments using Mossbauer spectroscopy. Th e effect of these compounds on benthos has also been examined. The res ults of these studies are reviewed with particular regard to studies o n sediments from the Chesapeake Bay, USA.