Abstract: | Concentrations of butyltin compounds (BTs) were determined in harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) collected from the Turkish coastal waters of the Black Sea. Total butyltin compounds (∑ BTs) in the liver were in the range
of 89–219 ng/g on a wet weight basis. The dibutyltin (DBT) residues were higher than those of tributyltin (TBT), suggesting
the degradation of TBT to DBT in the liver and the metabolic capacity comparable to other marine mammals. Any sex difference
and age-dependent accumulation of BTs residues were not found in harbour porpoises, but residue levels increased until maturity
and then remained constant. When compared with other marine mammals, the present results indicate that the Black Sea is also
contaminated with butyltin compounds, but to a lesser degree than coastal waters of developed nations. The biomagnification
factor in harbour porpoises was 0.8, which was comparable with pinnipeds and lower than cetaceans.
Received: 23 December 1996 / Revised: 15 April 1997 / Accepted: 16 April 1997 |