An International Intercomparison of Butyltin Determinations in Mussel Tissue and Sediments

An international intercalibration on the determination of butyltins in tissue and sediments was conducted between 7 laboratories. Tissues and sediments were collected along known tributyltin gradients to provide intercalibration samples that are within the reported range of typically encountered environmental concentrations. In mussel tissue and sediments most laboratories agreed within a factor of 2 to 3 in tributyltin and dibutyltin concentrations. These results indicate that several tributyltin analytical techniques exist that are adequate for some types of environmental samples.