Effects of tributyltin chloride on marine bivalve mussels

Using marine bivalve mussels Mytidus edulis and Aequipecten irradians as the biological indicators, the chronic (60 days) bioaccumulation tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of tributyltin (TBT) on bivalve mussels. TBT and its degraded products—Dibutyltin and Monobutyltin—were determined in mussels and seawater. Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) increased exponentially with decreasing concentration of TBT, BCFs were much higher than predicted values by Kow. Some physiological effects of TBT on the shell length, width, whole body weight and Condition Index were measured and used as indicating indices on the contamination of TBT to bivalve mussels. Some pathological effects at cellular level were observed under the electron-microscope, the mitochondria of test M. edulisʹs liver swelled and disrupted, so the mechanism of toxicity was suggested. Based on the results of the bioaccumulation test the risk evaluation for humans was made. The results of bioaccumulation of TBT by algae revealed that accumulation through the food chain was very important.