BUTYLTINS IN MARINE WATERS OF THE NETHERLANDS IN 1988 AND 1989 - CONCENTRATIONS AND EFFECTS

Specific effects of tributyltin (TBT) on Crassostrea gigas-valve thickening, and Nucella lapillus-imposex, were measured on local populations, relatively clean unaffected species from England were transferred to the Netherlands and exposed during six weeks to ambient TBT concentrations. Near marinas 50% of the exposed species were sterile after six weeks. In general, no dissolved butyltins were detected in the Rhine and Scheldt estuaries. In 1988 TBT concentrations in marinas ranged from 120 to 4000 ng litre-1. In sediments (fraction < 60-mu-m) and suspended particulate matter TBT concentrations reached up to 1200 ng g-1. TBT concentrations in mussel tissue ranged from < 1 to 2300 ng g-1 based on a dry weight. In 1989 concentrations of dissolved TBT ranged from < 0.1 to 7200 ng litre-1. In 1989 a seasonal study in the marina of Colijnsplaat showed that dissolved butyltins increased from April to the end of May due to the launching of freshly painted boats, and decreased afterwards.