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Determination of tributyltin oxide in coastal marine sediments and mussels by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry
Author(s) -
Cardellicchio N,
Geraci S,
Marra C,
Paterno P
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
applied organometallic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1099-0739
pISSN - 0268-2605
DOI - 10.1002/aoc.590060219
Subject(s) - chemistry , mytilus , tributyltin , environmental chemistry , atomic absorption spectroscopy , mussel , detection limit , graphite furnace atomic absorption , seawater , extraction (chemistry) , nitric acid , chromatography , fishery , inorganic chemistry , ecology , physics , quantum mechanics , biology
We have devised a new method for bis(tributyltin)oxide (TBTO) determination in marine sediments and mussels. This technique involves an n‐hexane/methylene chloride mixture extraction and extract purification with a sodium hydroxide wash in order to eliminate interfering compounds. TBTO is then extracted again by nitric acid and converted into an inorganic tin species; the analysis has been effected using Zeeman graphite furnace‐atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method detection limit for the matrices examined is 0.004 μg TBTO g −1 (wet weight) and is sufficient for the analysis in real samples. The percentage recovery of TBTO from sediments and mussels samples is higher than 85% and 95% respectively. This method has been applied to TBTO level determination in sediments and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) sampled in the harbour area in Taranto, where mussel culture activities are much developed; the TBTO levels obtained in sediments and mussels were in the range 15‐47 ng g −1 (wet weight) and 11‐30 ng g −1 (wet weight) respectively. Such values are comparable with those found in other harbour areas in the Mediterranean Sea.