Butyltin Partitioning In Marine Waters

A comparison of the percentage of TBT associated with particulates as measured by solvent extraction and direct borohydrlde derlvatizatlon is described. This study shows that some particulate associated TBT is unavailable to direct derlvatlzatlon. The percentage of particulate associated TBT varies with the site sampled. This value is high In San Diego Bay´s commercial basin which is influenced by yacht repair activity. Trlbutyltin in particulate fractions treated by solvent extraction ranged from 7.5 to 22% of the total TBT values determined in unfiltered seawater. Tributyltin percentages (4.5-13%) determined in unextracted particul ate fractions were lower than those calculated In fractions treated by solvent extraction from the same sample.