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Use of imposex (pseudohermaphroditism) as indicator of the occurrence of organotin compounds in Portuguese coastal waters—Sado and Mira estuaries
Author(s) -
Pessoa M. F.,
Fernando A.,
Oliveira J. S.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
environmental toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1522-7278
pISSN - 1520-4081
DOI - 10.1002/tox.1029
Subject(s) - tributyltin , imposex , environmental chemistry , biocide , estuary , xenobiotic , acute toxicity , biology , ecology , chemistry , toxicity , organic chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme
Organotin compounds, including tributyltin (TBT), are a class of the most toxic xenobiotics occurring in aquatic systems. High concentration levels in waters and sediments are mainly due to their extensive use as biocides and high persistence when present in sediments under anaerobic conditions. Toxicity studies have revealed the acute effects of TBT for aquatic organisms at concentrations as low as 1 μg/L, and the induction of imposex at levels below 0.5 ng/L TBT (as Sn). At 20 ng/L TBT (as Sn) causes sterility and is followed with the disappearance of the most sensitive neogastropods on a given shore. Imposex is the most sensitive response of all known pathological conditions for nontarget organisms following an exposure to tributyltin. In this study results are discussed that were obtained from two monitoring sites with different anthropogenic background using imposex monitoring as an indicator of TBT concentrations, as well as chemical analysis of tissue of Hinia (=Nassarius) reticulata (L.) (Gastropoda). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 16: 234–241, 2001