Organotin compounds in a Norwegian fjord. A comparison of concentration levels in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs), blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and water samples

Abstract

Monitoring concentrations of organic pollutants in water is essential to predict effects and to initiate preventive steps. Results from the analysis of water samples provide snapshots of a situation, whereas monitoring using semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) provides a time-integrated picture of the concentration of pollutants in water. In this investigation, SPMDs, caged mussels and water samples were used to monitor the levels of organotin compounds in the inner Oslofjord, Norway, over a period of 12 weeks. The work-up procedure for the analysis of organotins was optimised, focusing on the clean-up procedure using gel permeation chromatography (GPC). By using several GPC columns, as much as 1 g of triolein could be employed. This reduces the background emission noise on the baseline, leading to an improvement in the detection limits. The main uptake of tributyltin (TBT) in mussels and SPMDs levelled off after 14 days. A longer uptake period was indicated for SPMDs at stations with a high water concentration of TBT (5-10 ng Sn L(-1)) compared with those with a low water concentration of TBT (approximately 1 ng Sn L(-1)). A concentration gradient was observed for water, SPMDs and mussels from the innermost station close to Oslo harbour to the station further out in the fjord, indicating that the three analysed matrices give approximately the same pollution gradient. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) for TBT in mussels was in the range 12-14 000 (wet weight) and, for SPMDs, 10-12 000 (fat). A good correlation with the TBT water concentrations was achieved within a period of 14-30 days of exposure for mussels and after 2-3 months for SPMDs. A good correlation was also found between the TBT concentration in SPMDs and mussels at the end of the experiment. SPMDs can therefore be used to predict concentrations of TBT in both water and mussels.

Overview and comparison of lipid‐containing semipermeable membrane devices and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) for assessing organic chemical exposure

“…Generally, the goals of the sideby-side studies have been to compare the two approaches for sampling environmental HOCs (i.e., exposure assessment). Similarities and differences in the types and concentrations of HOCs accumulated by SPMDs and BMOs have been observed [3,[8][9][10][11][12][13]21,23,25,27,28]. The inconsistencies of these findings are not surprising.…”

Overview of the Chemcatcher® for the passive sampling of various pollutants in aquatic environments Part A: Principles, calibration, preparation and analysis of the sampler

“…For organotin compounds, the Chemcatcher s [54,55,71] and SPMD [76,77] are the only two used passive samplers. Performance of the Chemcatcher s and SPMD can be compared using several criteria (for instance, limit of quantification, extraction procedure, matrix effect and ease of analysis) but data are still scarce and these samplers have never been used jointly during laboratory or field studies.…”

Passive Sampling Technologies for the Monitoring of Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in Seawater

“…Passive sampling devices have been used to measure a number of organometallic species, including those of lead, mercury and tin. Følsvik et al (2002) used SPMDs, caged mussels and water samples to monitor the levels of organotin compounds in the inner Oslofjord, Norway, over a period of 12 weeks. A good correlation was also found between the TBT concentration in SPMDs and mussels at the end of the experiment.…”