Speciation of Organotin and Methylmercury Compounds by GC-MIP-AED in Water, Soils, Sediments and Biological Materials: The Application for Routine Controls

Speciation of an element, that is to say the determination of its different physico-chemical forms present in a given medium, is necessary when speaking of the toxicological risk represented by the presence of this element. The identification and quantification of the organometallic compounds is particularly important as they are generally more toxic than their inorganic analogs. It is particularly necessary when actually considering elements such as tin and mercury, as their organic forms have been and continue to be used in various industrial applications. Organotin compounds have been used as stabilizing agents in polymers, and as pesticides and antifouling agents in paints, causing a disastrous impact on oyster production in France, for example. Methylmercury halides were used as agricultural seed dressings and fungicides before the 1960s and their presence is frequently observed in sites contaminated by inorganic mercury through natural biosynthetic reactions and in their bioaccumulation throughout the food chain.