ACCUMULATION OF TRIBUTYLTIN CHLORIDE BY CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO L.).

In these last twenty-five years, tributyltin compounds (TBTs) have been widely used as successful system for the control of growth of fouling organisms on structures submerged in aquatic environment. The TBT compounds are highly toxic to aquatic organisms. The aim of the present work was to evaluate possible uptake of tributyltin chloride (TBTC) by carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and the subsequent accumulation in organs and tissues. Two groups of 15 fishes of about 1 kg each were fed on wet pellets (3% of live weight) contaminated for one week by TBTC 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively. TBTC levels were measured by high resolution gas chromatography coupled with low resolution mass spectrometry. The concentrations were the highest in kidney and liver, whereas in the brain were less than one filth of renal values. On the other hand, low levels were found in the muscle tissue. However, we believe this represents a great risk for human health through dietary uptake, because TBTs are immunotoxic substances.