Influence des Peintures Antisalissures a Base d'Organostanniques sur la Calcification de la Coquille de l'Huitre Crassostrea gigas.

Experiments in oyster-breeding areas where oyster Crassostrea gigas suffers from anomalies of calcification , show an obvious correlation between the importance of the malformation of shells and the vicinity of port areas where a great number of boats usually stay. Organotin compounds contained in antifouling paints, and more precisely Tributyltin fluoride (TBTF) induce, in expe­ rimental environment, similar anomalies to those observed in natural environment. The amounts of total tin in the tissues of oysters living in the vicinity of spots where organotin products are brought in, can reach high values, though/ they appear to decrease rapidly whereas the envi­ ronmental contamination lessens. The authors suggest that results of organotins upon the mecanisms of oyster calcification might be due to their particular properties : complexing amino-acids that constitute the proteic matrix of shells and inhibiting axydative phosphorylation.