Mussel watch: marine pollution monitoring of butyltins and organochlorines in coastal waters of Thailand, Philippines and India

Contamination by butyltin (BTs) and organochlorine compounds (OCs) in green mussels collected along the coastal areas of Thailand, Philippines and India during the period of 1994-1997 was examined. The BT residues in green mussel were widely detected, suggesting a widespread contamination along the coastal waters of Asian developing countries. Relatively high concentrations of BTs in green mussel were found in high boating activity and coastal aquaculture areas, implying the usage of TBT as a biocide in antifouling paints used on boat hulls and marine aquaculture facilities. The composition of BT derivatives in mussel was in the order of TBT > DBT > MET, suggesting also the presence of significant butyltin source in Asian coast. BT residues pattern in green mussels from Thailand revealed higher levels in aquaculture than in boating activity sites. This result may indicate that the developing countries showing high economic growth rate (like Thailand) tend to increase the usage of TBT for aquaculture activities. BT contamination levels in Asian developing countries were lower than those in developed nations. However, considering the fact that the unregulated usage of organotins in Asian developing countries and the increasing demand for antifouling paints in Asia-Pacific regions, BTs contamination in aquatic environment may be serious in future. Concentrations of OCs detected in green mussels were lower than BTs. Considerable residues of p. p'-DDT found in mussel indicated the current usage of DDTs in Asian regions. HCHs and DDTs contamination in India is apparently higher than in other Asian developing countries. The present study clearly indicates that the aquatic environment in Asia-Pacific regions is still being contaminated by some OCs. To our knowledge, this is a first report on the detection of butyltin compounds in green mussels (Perna viridis) from Thailand, Philippines and India. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.