Gb. Jiang et al., Occurrence of butyltin compounds in the waters of selected lakes, rivers and coastal environments from China, ENVIR POLLU, 115(1), 2001, pp. 81-87
The presence of butyltin compounds was investigated for the first time in s
elected lakes, rivers and coastal environments of China. Aqueous samples we
re pretreated by the technique of headspace solid phase micro-extraction af
ter hydride generation with sodium tetrahydroborate (NaBH4). Quantitative m
easurement of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) co
ncentrations were accomplished by capillary gas chromatography with flame p
hotometric detector using quartz surface-induced luminescence. Experimental
data demonstrated the widespread occurrence of butyltin compounds in the C
hinese aquatic environment. In some locations, the concentrations of TBT we
re higher than the acute and chronic toxicity threshold of sensitive fresh
water or marine organisms. Although DBT and MBT (which mainly come from the
degradation of TBT), are less toxic, their occurrence can still affect the
ecosystem over a long time frame. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right
s reserved.