Heavy metals in northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) from the Pribilof Islands, Alaska
Samples of liver, kidney, muscle, and bone were collected from northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) from St. Paul Island, Alaska during the summer of 1975 and analyzed for Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Hg. Positive correlations existed between age of the seals and concentrations of Cd in liver, muscle, and bone, and Hg in liver. Concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Ni were not significantly correlated with age. Cd residues in kidney and liver samples were higher than those reported in 1970-1971 for the same species, suggesting increased contamination of this metal in the food chain of northern fur seals. Concentrations of Pb and Ni were low and those of Zn were similar to levels found in other mammals, including man. Levels of Hg were considerably lower than those reported for other pinnipeds. Among the four tissues sampled, Cd and Zn concentrations were signficantly higher in kidneys, whereas concentrations of Pb and Ni were highest in bone.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- OSTI ID:
- 6093372
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 12:4; ISSN JEVQA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARCTIC REGIONS
BODY
BUILDUP
CADMIUM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
DISTRIBUTION
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
KIDNEYS
LEAD
MAMMALS
MASS TRANSFER
MERCURY
METALS
MUSCLES
NICKEL
ORGANS
PINNIPEDS
POLAR REGIONS
SKELETON
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
ZINC