Accumulation and fate of tri-n-butyltin cation in estuarine bacteria.

The accumulation and possible metabolic transformation of tri-n-butyltin cation by tin-resistant estuarine bacteria was studied. The bacterial isolates accumulated tributyltin to 3.7-7.7 mg tin per g dry weight of cells by a nonenergy requiring process, probably by adsorption to the cell envelope. Chemical speciation of cell extracts and culture media by combined liquid chromatography-atomic absorption spectrophotometry and tin-selective purge and trap flame photometric gas chromatography for possible tributyltin degradation products revealed no significant biotransformations of tributyltin cation by the tributyltin-resistant isolates. Apparently the isolates accumulate, but do not metabolize tributyltin.