Contamination by butyltin compounds in harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from the Black Sea

Abstract

Concentrations of butyltin compounds (BTs) were determined in harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) collected from the Turkish coastal waters of the Black Sea. Total butyltin compounds (Sigma BTs) in the liver were in the range of 89-219 ng/g on a wet weight basis. The dibutyltin (DBT) residues were higher than those of tributyltin (TBT), suggesting the degradation of TBT to DBT in the liver and the metabolic capacity comparable to other marine mammals. Any sex difference and age-dependent accumulation of BTs residues were not found in harbour porpoises, but residue levels increased until maturity and then remained constant. When compared with other marine mammals, the present results indicate that the Black Sea is also contaminated with butyltin compounds, but to a lesser degree than coastal waters of developed nations. The biomagnification factor in harbour porpoises was 0.8, which was comparable with pinnipeds and lower than cetaceans.