Growth Abnormalities in Mussels and Oysters from Areas with High Levels of Tributyltin in San Diego Bay

Culched and culchless oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and two species of mussels (Mytilus edulis and M. californianus) were transplanted to San Diego Bay along a gradient of known seawater tributyltin (TBT) concentrations. Reduced shell growth in all three species was noted at the stations with the highest levels of TBT. Oysters exhibited a shell thickening response that has been identified in studies in France and England as indicative of high levels of TBT in seawater. Study results suggest that mussels and oysters can be used in routine monitoring programs to study the environmental effects of TBT in marine waters.