Determination of trace amount of bis (tri-butyltin) oxide in fish by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A routine and rapid method has been established for the determination of trace amount of bis(tri-butyltin) oxide (TBTO) contained in fish by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The homogenized sample was acidified with dilute hydrochloric acid, by which TBTO in sample was converted to tri-butyltin chloride(TBTC). All tin compounds in acidified solution were extracted with methanol. The extract was charged to an alumina column and eluted stepwise with an organic solvent system. TBTC was eluted with an ethanol-hexane mixture at final step and determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The calibration curve was linear in quantities of 039 ng of TBTC, and the detection limit was 0.03 ng as tri-butyl type tin. This new method may be applied to also the monitoring systems for water quality, substratum, etc.