TBT in marine sediments and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from central-west Greenland

Concentrations of butyltin compounds were investigated in the bivalve Mytil us edulis (five sites) and marine sediments (three sites) near the largest town, Nuuk, in Greenland. In seven of the eight samples the extremely toxic compound tributyltin (TBT) was detected. The concentrations of tributyltin and degradation products in the bivalves were close to 1 mu g kg(-1) wet w eight (ww), calculated as Sn, which is lower than those found in Iceland an d the Faeroe Islands. In sediments the concentration of TBT ranged from bel ow the limit of detection of 1 mu g kg(-1) to 171 mu g kg(-1) dry weight (d w), calculated as Sn, which is comparable to levels found in Europe. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.