Speciation of butyltin compounds in marine sediments and sea-shells by HG/GC/QFAAS
Résumé
After optimization of sample pretreatment and determination procedures, butyltin compounds were determined in selected marine sediments and biota using the hydride generation/gas chromatography/quartz furnace atomic absorption spectrometry method. Butyltins were detected in all surface sediment samples of Arcachon Bay, though at widely different concentrations (from a few ng g-1 in remote areas to 158 ng g-1 in marinas). The relative abundances of mono-, di- and tri-butyltin vary with the distance to point pollution sources and the depth of burial (i.e. the storage time). Half-life times of the three butyltin compounds were estimated in a marina sediment as close to 1.1, 1.9 and 2.1 years, respectively. Quite significant concentrations of butyltin compounds were measured in some commercial sea-shell samples.