Accumulation of butyltin and phenyltin compounds in various fish species

Concentrations of organotins (OTs) were measured in the muscle of 11 specie s of fishes from the Port of Osaka and Yodo River, Japan. Tributytin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) compounds were detected in the range of 0.011-0.182 mg/kg wet weight and < 0.001-0.130 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. Concentr ations of TBT were higher than those of TPT in the muscle of fish. Concentr ations of OTs in fish from sea areas were higher than those from rivers, an d the ratios of TBT to total butyltins (BTs) in fish from sea areas were al so higher than those from rivers. A similar trend was found for TPT. Logari thm of bioconcentration factor (BCF) of TBT in fish was in the range of 2.7 -3.9. No sex differences in TBT and TPT concentrations in Japanese sea perc h were observed, and the concentrations of TBT and TPT were not related to total length of fish. No correlation was also observed between the concentr ation of TBT or TPT and lipid content. The concentrations of BTs and phenyl tins (PTs) in organs and tissues of three fish species were determined. TBT was higher concentration in liver, brain, and muscle of white croaker and yellowtail. The ratios of TBT to the total BTs were 30-40%, and the ratios of TPT to total PTs in these fishes were greater than 50% of the total PT c oncentrations.