The value of imposex in the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus and the common whelkBuccinum undatum as indicators of TBT contamination

Citation
Gj. Nicholson et al., The value of imposex in the dogwhelk Nucella lapillus and the common whelkBuccinum undatum as indicators of TBT contamination, INVERTEBR R, 34(2-3), 1998, pp. 289-300
Citations number
43
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences","Animal & Plant Sciences
Journal title
INVERTEBRATE REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT
ISSN journal
0792-4259 → ACNP
Volume
34
Issue
2-3
Year of publication
1998
Pages
289 - 300
Database
ISI
SICI code
0792-4259(199811)34:2-3<289:TVOIIT>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Measures of imposer in the Dogwhelk N. lapillus and the Common Whelk B. und atum were used, together with analyses of butyltins in tissue and sediment samples, to assess current levels of TBT contamination in four sealochs, wh ich are subject to different kinds and intensities of boat use and fish far ming. Imposer in N. lapillus is a specific response to TBT and some related organotins and, as would be expected therefore, indices of; imposer correl ated with concentrations of butyltins in tissues. Data from this species, a nd sediments, indicate that TBT contamination in three of the sealochs (Loc h Sween, Loch Crinan and Killary Harbour) is now low. It has decreased sign ificantly in Loch Sween and Loch Crinan during the past decade. There were higher levels of pollution in Sullom Vee, where oil tankers are a source of TBT. This was reflected in measures of imposer and concentrations of butyl tins in tissue samples but not of those in sediments, which were surprising ly low. Imposer was recorded in most samples of B. undatum examined in this study but it is not a useful indicator of butyltin contamination. The cond ition was severe in some places where pollution was low and, conversely, ab sent or poorly developed in others, where it was high. There was no correla tion between the severity of imposer and tissue concentrations of butyltins in this species.