ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS AND POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS OF LIVERS IN SQUID COLLECTED FROM COASTAL WATERS AND OPEN OCEANS

The current status of global marine pollution by TBT (tributyltin), TP T (triphenyltin) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was examined by determining their concentrations in squid livers. TBT and TPT concentr ations in squid livers were higher in coastal waters than in open ocea ns. The highest values of TBT and TPT of 279 and 519 ng g(-1), respect ively, were detected off Japan. TBT concentrations were higher in the northern hemisphere than those of the southern hemisphere organisms. T PT was not detected in squid livers collected in the southern hemisphe re. The variation in TBT and TPT concentrations between the northern a nd the southern hemisphere was greater than those recognized for PCBs distribution in the world oceans. This global distribution pattern of TBT, TPT and PCB seemed to reflect their usage (amount, period and man ner of utilization). Approximate TBT concentrations in seawater estima ted from bioaccumulation factor in the squid liver were 0.1-5.8 ng lit re(-1) in waters around Japan, tr-0.8 ng litre(-1) in oceanic wafers i n the northern hemisphere, and tr-0.4 ng litre(-1) in the southern hem isphere oceans. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.