Occurrence of butyltin compounds in beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

Fifty-two beluga whale samples (Six liver samples, and 46 blubber samples including ones from different depths of the fat layer) from the St Lawrence River, Canada, were analyzed for butyltin compounds (mono-, di-, and tri-butyltin) with a view to investigating the occurrence and contamination of butyltin in these animals. A special procedure was also developed for the determination of butyltin compounds in blubber samples with high lipid content (up to 95%). Total-butyltin concentrations in liver samples were found to be much higher than those in the blubber samples. The concentrations of butyltin compounds in blubber samples were observed to be related to their lipid content. Concentration levels of butyltin species in beluga whale were compared with those in other marine vertebrates in other parts of the world. The presence of butyltin compounds in liver and blubber samples suggests the accumulation of these toxicants by beluga whale. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.