Relationship between tissue concentrations of tributyltin and shell morphology in field populations of Mytilus edulis

Tributyltin and dibutyltin content was determined in samples of Mytilis edulis taken from 15 sampling sites in six areas of coastal Maine that included commercial shipping harbors, recreational boat marinas, and a pristine location. The thickness index was also measured in each mussel, as an indicator of stress. In general, the thickness index was related to the tissue concentration of tributyltin. The exception was a commercial harbor that had banned the use of tributyltin thus lowering the ambient tributyltin levels, but still had mussels with shell thicknesses that indicated stress.