Speciation of butyltin compounds in marine sediments and sea-shells by HG/GC/QFAAS

After optimization of sample pretreatment and determination procedures, but yltin compounds were determined in selected marine sediments and biota usin g the hydride generation/gas chromatography/quartz furnace atomic absorptio n spectrometry method. Butyltins were detected in all surface sediment samp les of Arcachon Bay, though at widely different concentrations (from a few ng g(-1) in remote areas to 158 ng g-l in marinas). The relative abundances of mono-, di- and tri-butyltin vary with the distance to point pollution s ources and the depth of burial (i.e. the storage time). Half-life times of the three butyltin compounds were estimated in a marina sediment as close t o 1.1, 1.9 and 2.1 years, respectively. Quite significant concentrations of butyltin compounds were measured in some commercial sea-shell samples.