Effects of tributyltin chloride (TBTCI) on detoxication enzymes in aquaticplants

Due to their extensive use and their toxicity toward aquatic organisms tria lkyltin compounds (R3SnX) are among the most problematic water contaminants . The effects of tributyltin chloride (TBTCl) on detoxication enzymes were determined in the freshwater macroalga Cladophora sp. and in the freshwater macrophytes Ceratophyllum demersum and Elodea canadensis. Effects on Clado phora sp. as a possible target organism which grows on all substrates, even on ship's hulls, were compared with two nontarget-species C, demersum or E . canadensis. We found an uptake of TBTCl in Cladophora sp. and an enhanced metabolism of TBTCl to dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) in the pres ence of the algae. Furthermore, there was an elevation of microsomal and so luble glutathione S-transferase activity and an inhibition of cytochrome P- 450 (ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase) activity in all investigated plants in a dose-dependent manner indicating a significant interaction of TBTCl with n ontarget organisms in the aquatic ecosystem. (C) 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.