Accumulation of tri-n-butyltin chloride and triphenyltin chloride by oral and via gill intake of goldfish (Carassius auratus).

1. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) of both chemicals via gill intake of goldfish reached plateaux after 21 days of exposure. The average BCF values of Bu3SnCl and Ph3SnCl (N = 2) were 1976 and 1384, respectively, after 21-28 days of exposure. 2. The BCF values by oral intake of goldfish reached plateaux after 28 days for Bu3SnCl but did not for Ph3SnCl. The BCF values of Bu3SnCl and Ph3SnCl were 0.04 and 0.10, respectively, after 35 days. 3. The order of the BCF values via gill intake was reversed compared with that by oral intake. Further, the contamination of freshwater fish by these compounds was discussed using the results of these experiments.