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Science 14 August 1981:
Vol. 213. no. 4509, pp. 770 - 771
DOI: 10.1126/science.213.4509.770
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Articles

Methylation of Trimethyltin Compounds by Estuarine Sediments

HAROLD E. GUARD 1, ANDRE B. COBET 2, and W. M. COLEMAN III 2

1 Naval Biosciences Laboratory, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley 94720
2 Naval Biosciences Laboratory, Naval Supply Center, Oakland, California 94625

Both biologically active and autoclaved sediments convert trimethyltin hydroxide to the volatile tetramethyltin. Larger amounts of tetramethyltin were formed in the bioactive sediments than in the sterile sediments. No volatile tin compounds were detected in the absence of trimethyltin hydroxide or from trimethyltin hydroxide in seawater or in seawater containing bentonite. The formation of tetramethyltin is slow, taking over 80 days at 16°C to reach a maximum. The extent of conversion, although significant, is not extensive. The formation of tetramethyltin occurs in estuarine sediments by both abiotic and biologically enhanced pathways. A redistribution mechanism accounts for at least the abiotic pathway and possibly both formation pathways.

Submitted on February 4, 1981
Revised on May 5, 1981


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Methylation of Tin by Estuarine Microorganisms.
L. E. Hallas, L. E. HALLAS, J. C. MEANS, and J. J. COONEY (1982)
Science 215, 1505-1507
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)