Accumulation and Metabolism of Tri-n-butyltin Cation by a Green Alga, Ankistrodesmus falcatus

Abstract
Tributyltin pesticides are increasingly widespread, but their environmental persistence is poorly known. The accumulation and metabolism of tri-n-butyltin cation (Bu3Sn+) by a green alga, Ankistrodesmus falcatus, was determined at 20 °C over a 4-wk period; about 50% of the original Bu3Sn+ was converted to di-n-butyltin (Bu2Sn2+) and small quantities of butyltin (BuSn3+) and inorganic tin. An apparent algal bioconcentration factor of 3 × 104 was estimated for Bu3Sn+.