ACCUMULATION OF TRIBUTYLTIN AND TRIPHENYLTIN COMPOUNDS IN PACIFIC OYSTER, CRASSOSTREA-GIGAS, FROM THE CHINHAE BAY SYSTEM, KOREA

Butyl- and phenyltin residues were quantified in seawater and Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) from the Chinhae Bay System, Korea. Butylti n compounds were detected in all the seawater and C. gigas samples, wh ereas phenyltin compounds were not detected in any seawater samples. T ributyltin (TBT) concentrations in seawater ranged <8-35 ng Sn L-1. TB T and triphenyltin (TPhT) concentrations in oysters ranged 95-885 and 155-678 ng Sn g(-1), respectively. Spatial distribution of TBT was clo sely related to boating and dry-docking activities. However, spatial d istribution of TPhT was not consistent with that of TBT. The estimated biological concentration factor (BCF) for TBT in C. gigas was about 2 5,000. Furthermore, 19 and 28% of total body burdens of TBT and TPhT w ere found in gonadal mass of C. gigas just prior to the spawning perio d, indicating that a proportional amount of TBT and TPhT would be rele ased with a following reproductive process.