TBT in marine sediments and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from central-west Greenland

Concentrations of butyltin compounds were investigated in the bivalve Mytilus edulis (five sites) and marine sediments (three sites) near the largest town, Nuuk, in Greenland. In seven of the eight samples the extremely toxic compound tributyltin (TBT) was detected. The concentrations of tributyltin and degradation products in the bivalves were close to 1 microgram kg-1 wet weight (ww), calculated as Sn, which is lower than those found in Iceland and the Faeroe Islands. In sediments the concentration of TBT ranged from below the limit of detection of 1 microgram kg-1 to 171 micrograms kg-1 dry weight (dw), calculated as Sn, which is comparable to levels found in Europe.