Determination of tributyltin through ultrasonic assisted micelle mediated extraction and GFAAS: Application to the monitoring of tributyltin levels in Greek marine species

Ultrasonically assisted extraction into the micelles of both non-ionic and anionic surfactants was applied as a methodology for the isolation of tributyltin (TBT) from fish and mussel tissue prior to determination with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The proposed methodology includes extraction of organotin species in the micelles of Triton X-114 or Sodium Dodecane Sulphonic Acid (SDSA), accelerated by the application of ultrasounds. Isolation and subsequent determination of TBT is achieved by ultrasonic assisted back extraction into a water immiscible solvent, utilising the selective partition of TBT from an alkaline environment. Quantitation is performed by GFAAS. Seventy-seven seafood samples including sardines, anchovies and mussels were analysed for tributyltin (TBT) from different coastal regions of northern, eastern and western Greece on the Aegean and the Ionian Sea. Results showed that the shellfish contained a higher amount of TBT than fish (mean value of 0.91 μg/kg for fish and 2.21 μg/kg for mussels). The highest TBT concentration recorded was 19.50 μg/kg for sardines in N. Mihaniona and 14.27 μg/kg for mussels in Fthiotida. TBT concentrations found in the present study were much lower than those reported in the literature regarding Greece and other countries.