The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has developed methods for the analysis of tributyltin (TBT) in environmental samples. These methods have been published in the scientific literature where they are freely available to the public. When used by skilled analysts and supported by appropriate quality assurance and quality control procedures (QA/QC), we believe these methods, as well as other published analytical methods for TBT, can provide accurate and precise results. As in any environmental analysis, method performance is a function of the sample type, available instrumentation and skill and care taken by laboratory workers. The suitability of the data produced will only be confirmed by proper QA/QC in the laboratory.

At the request of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Virginia Institute of Marine Science has prepared this laboratory manual as an advisory to those interested in methods for analysis of TBT in environmental samples. This manual is based on the previously published methods developed at VIMS and describes procedures for the analysis of TBT in water, sediment and biota samples. This effort is not intended to endorse these techniques as the only suitable methods for butyltin analysis, but is intended to provide detailed information on procedures which have been developed and successfully used at VIMS for the past ten years. It contains a higher level of detail than previous publications and also incorporates any recent changes in procedures, as well as listing possible sources for reagents and standards. This manual also contains a bibliography which lists published VIMS methods as well as other literature citations in which alternative techniques for the analysis of TBT may be found.

Hopefully, this manual is sufficiently comprehensive so that the analyst can perform these procedures with the information presented. I realize, however, that some questions or difficulties may occur when applying these methodologies at other laboratories, so consultation is available on a case-by-case basis by contacting VIMS. Many individuals contributed to assembling this manual. In particular, I thank: Ellen Travelstead, Tina Minnick, George Vadas, James Greene and Ellen Harvey for their help. I thank Dr. Mory Roberts and Dr. Rob Hale for helpful comments.

November, 1996 Michael A. Unger, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Environmental Sciences
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
College of William and Mary
Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062