Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of tributyltin on survival, growth, morphometry, and RNA-DNA ratio of larval striped bass,Morone saxatilis

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Effects of tributyltin (TBT) on survival, growth, morphometry, and RNA-DNA ratio in larval striped bass(Morone saxatilis) were assessed in three experiments. In Experiment I, 13 day old larvae were exposed to 0, 0.067, 0.766, or 2.284 μg TBT/L for 6 days. All larvae exposed to 2.284 μ/L died by day 5; exposure to 0.766 μg/L significantly reduced survival relative to controls (59.8% vs. 81.8%). Significant, concentration-dependent decreases in body depth occurred in larvae exposed to 0.067 and 0.766 μg/L. In Experiment II, all 16 day old larvae exposed to 1.498 μg/L died by day 6. Survival, weight, and morphometry parameters were not significantly different in larvae exposed to 0, 0.052, or 0.444 μg/L for 7 days. In Experiment III, survival was similar in 21 day old larvae exposed to 0, 0.055, 0.218, or 0.514 μ/L for 7 days. Notochord length and dry weight decreased significantly in larvae exposed to 0.514 μg/L. Weight and morphometry parameters were more sensitive indicators of sublethal stress than RNA-DNA ratio. Maximum TBT concentrations reported in Chesapeake Bay marinas are likely to cause increased larval mortality. Longer-term studies are needed to assess effects at <0.050 μg/L, which may be more representative of habitat conditions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alzieu C (1986) TBT detrimental effects on oyster culture in France -evolution since antifouling paint regulation. In: Organotin Symposium. Proc Oceans 86 Conf Sept 23–25, 1986. Washington, DC, pp 1130–1134

  • Aldridge WN (1976) The influence of organotin compounds on mitochondrial function. In: Zuckerman JJ (ed) Organotin compounds: New chemistry and applications. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, pp 186–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckley LJ (1984) RNA-DNA ratio: An index of larval fish growth in the sea. Mar Biol 80:291–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Bushong SJ, Hall LW Jr, Johnson WE, Hall WS, Ziegenfuss MC (1987) Acute and chronic toxicity of tributyltin to selected Chesapeake Bay fish and invertebrates. Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory, Final Report, Shady Side, MD, 64 pp

  • Davies IM, McKie JC (1987) Accumulation of total tin and tributyltin in muscle tissue of farmed Atlantic salmon. Mar Pollut Bull 18:405–407

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall LW Jr, Pinkney AE (1985) Acute and sublethal effects of organotin compounds on aquatic biota: an interpretative literature evaluation. CRC Crit Rev Toxicol 14:159–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall LW Jr, Lenkevich MJ, Hall WS, Pinkney AE, Bushong, SJ (1987) Evaluation of butyltin compounds in Maryland waters of Chesapeake Bay. Mar Pollut Bull 18:78–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall LW Jr, Bushong SJ, Ziegenfuss MC, Johnson WE, Herman RL, Wright DA (1988a) Chronic toxicity of tributyltin to Chesapeake Bay biota. Water Air Soil Pollut 39:365–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall LW Jr, Bushong SJ, Johnson WE, Hall WS (1988b) Spatial and temporal distribution of butyltin compounds in a northern Chesapeake Bay marina and receiving system. Environ Monit Assess 10:229–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde ED, Lubbers L III (1986) Survival and growth of striped bass,Morone saxatilis, andMorone hybrid larvae: Laboratory and pond enclosure experiments. Fish Bull 84:905–914

    Google Scholar 

  • Laughlin RB Jr, Linden O (1985) Fate and effects of organotin compounds. Ambio 14:88–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin FD, Malloy R (1980) Histologic and morphometric criteria for assessing nutritional state in larval striped bass,Morone saxatilis. In: Fuiman, L (ed) Proc 4th Ann Larval Fish Workshop, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC, pp 157–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton F, Thum A, Davidson B, Valkirs A, Seligman P (1985) Effects on the growth and survival of eggs and embryos of the California grunion(Leuresthes tenais) exposed to trace levels of tributyltin. Naval Oceans Systems Center, Technical Rep. 1040, San Diego, CA, 35 pp

  • Norberg TJ, Mount DI (1985) A new subchronic fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) toxicity test. Environ Toxicol Chem 4:711–718

    Google Scholar 

  • Palawski D, Hunn JB, Dwyer FJ (1985) Sensitivity of young striped bass to organic and inorganic contaminants in fresh and saline waters. Trans Am Fish Soc 114:748–753

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinkney AE, Klauda RJ, Wright DA (1987) Manual for design and operation of a solenoid-based delivery system for aquatic toxicity testing. Environ Technol Lett 8:153–158

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc (1985) SAS user's guide: Statistics, Version 5 Edition. SAS Institute, Inc, Cary, NC, 958 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Scinen W, Helder T, Vernij H, Penninks A, Leeuwaungh P (1981) Short-term toxicity of tri-n-butyltin chloride in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Richardson) yolk sac fry. Sci Total Environ 19:155–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Short JF, Thrower FP (1986) Accumulation of butyltins in muscle tissue of chinook salmon, reared in sea pens treated with tri-n-butyltin. In: Organotin Symposium. Proc Oceans 86 Conf Sept 23–25, 1986. Washington, DC, pp 1177–1181

  • Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (1981) Biometry, 2nd edition, WH Freeman, New York, 859 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Speir HJ (1987) Status of some finfish stocks in the Chesapeake Bay. Water Air Soil Pollut 35:49–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Thain JE (1983) The acute toxicity of bis (tributyl tin) oxide to the adults and larvae of some marine organisms. ICES paper CM 1983/E:13. Intern Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Copenhagen

    Google Scholar 

  • Thain JE, Waldock MJ (1986) The impact of tributyl tin (TBT) antifouling paints on molluscan fisheries. Water Sci Technol 18:193–202

    Google Scholar 

  • US Environmental Protection Agency (1987) Ambient aquatic life water quality advisories for tributyltin. US EPA Report, Region 1, Narragensett, RI

  • Valkirs AO, Seligman PF, Stang PM, Homer V, Lieberman SH, Vafa G, Dooley, CA (1986) Measurement of butyltin compounds in San Diego Bay. Mar Pollut Bull 17:319–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward GS, Cramm GC, Parrish PR, Trachman H, Slesinger A (1981) Bioaccumulation and chronic toxicity of bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBTO): Tests with a saltwater fish. In: Branson DR, Dickson KL (eds) Aquatic toxicology and hazard assessment: fourth conference. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA, pp 183–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolniakowski KU, Stephenson MD, Ichikowa GS (1987) Tributyltin concentrations and oyster deformations in Coos Bay, Oregon. In: International Organotin Symposium. Proc Oceans 87 Conf Sept 28-Oct 1, 1987. Halifax, Nova Scotia, pp 1438–1442

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright DA, Martin FD (1985) The effect of starvation on RNA:DNA ratios and growth of larval striped bass,Morone saxatilis. J Fish Biol 27:479–485

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pinkney, A.E., Matteson, L.L. & Wright, D.A. Effects of tributyltin on survival, growth, morphometry, and RNA-DNA ratio of larval striped bass,Morone saxatilis . Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 19, 235–240 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056092

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01056092

Keywords

Navigation