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Science 19 March 1982:
Vol. 215. no. 4539, pp. 1505 - 1507
DOI: 10.1126/science.215.4539.1505
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Articles

Methylation of Tin by Estuarine Microorganisms

L. E. HALLAS 1, J. C. MEANS 2, and J. J. COONEY 3

1 Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies, and Department of Microbiology, University of Maryland, Solomons 20688-0038
2 Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies, and Department of Chemistry, University of Maryland, Solomons
3 Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies, and Department of Microbiology, University of Maryland, Solomons

Mixed inoculums of microorganisms from Chesapeake Bay sediments transformed inorganic tin (SnCl4 · 5H2O) to organotin compounds. Dimethyltin and trimethyltin species were identified as products by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Methylated tin species were not observed in sterile controls or in poisoned controls. Thus, estuarine microorganisms have the potential for transforming tin to toxic organotins and for mobilizing tin in the ecosystem.

Submitted on July 8, 1981
Revised on November 24, 1981


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Production of Volatile Derivatives of Metal(loid)s by Microflora Involved in Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge.
K. Michalke, E. B. Wickenheiser, M. Mehring, A. V. Hirner, and R. Hensel (2000)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 66, 2791-2796
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)