ACCUMULATION OF ORGANOTIN COMPOUNDS IN MUSSELS FROM NORTHERN ADRIATIC COASTS.

A rapid method (fused silica capillary GC/MS) was developed for quantitative analysis of organotin compounds in mussel tissues and sediments. Samples were homogenized with n-hexane and organotin compounds were pentylated via the Grignard reaction in ethyl ether. Recoveries of organotin compounds were 85-98% from both mussels and sediments samples. High concentrations of TBT were found in sediments from Ravenna harbour, while levels in mussels were generally lower. These preliminary determinations represent the first comparative monitoring of TBT in both types of samples collected in the marine environment of the Northern Adriatic.