Survey of nine organotin compounds in the netherlands using the zebra mussel (Dreissena Polymorpha) as biomonitor

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Abstract
In the present survey zebra mussels were used as biomonitors to evaluate concentrations of nine organotin compounds (OTs) in Dutch fresh waters. To this end mussels were sampled at 56 locations throughout the country at the end of the summer of 1992. Variations in OT concentrations in zebra mussels were studied at two locations near potato crops that were sprayed with triphenyltin (TPT) in order to estimate the integration period over which body concentrations reflect the environmental quality. Apparent depuration half‐life times in the field were calculated to be 100 to 200 d for TPT, which indicates that body burdens represent the TPT water quality over a long period of time. Results from the survey showed that OTs are still ubiquitously present in the freshwater environment in The Netherlands. Despite the implementation of legislation restricting the use of tributyltin (TBT), very high TBT body concentrations can still be found. The TPT was found in very high concentrations in mussels near sources of this fungicide. It was also discovered at remote locations. Possibly the presence of TPT there is due to transport via the air. The degradation products of TBT and TPT, the di‐ and mono‐, ‐butyl‐ and ‐phenyltins, were also detected in nearly all mussels analyzed. Tricyclohexyltin (TCT) and fenbutatinoxide (FBTO), which are much less used organotin pesticides, were identified only in a few cases and do not appear to pose real environmental threats. Statistical analysis by means of principal component analysis was found to be a useful tool for evaluating the sources of OTs monitored by the zebra mussels.