Butyltins in Crassostrea virginica from Nine Reefs in Mississippi Sound

Tributyltin (TBT), a very effective anti-foulant, has been banned from most marine paint uses since 1988 because of its reputed toxicity to nontarget organisms. Crassostrea virginica were collected from nine reefs in the Mississippi Sound in 1993 and analyzed for concentrations of butyltins: TBT, dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT). TBT concentrations ranged from < 2 to > 20 ng(Sn)/g wet wt. Highest concentrations of butyltins were found at eastern Sound reefs near shipping and ship building activities with lowest concentrations found in the western Sound.