Tributyltin determination in marine sediments: A comparative study of methods

Abstract
Two independent speciation methods have been applied to the determination of tributyltin (TBT) in marine sediments: (1) acetic acid leaching/hydride generation/cold trapping/GC/quartz furnace AA; and (2) toluene–tropolone extraction/HPLC/GFAA. TBT determines in a typically moderately polluted sediment (Porto Vecchio Bay, Corsica, France) are in very good agreement, as also are the determination of total recoverable tin by the first method and by a direct one using strong acid leaching followed by GFAA. These cross‐verifications lead one to conclude that both speciation methods are convenient and allow for valid determination of TBT in marine sediments, with no loss of TBT. Method‐induced modification of tin speciation has not been observed.