Accumulation and loss of arsenic and boron, alone and in combination, in mallard ducks

Journal Article · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620140811· OSTI ID:94315

Pendleton, G W; Whitworth, M R; Olsen, G H ^[1]

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1. National Biological Service, Laurel, MD (United States). Patuxent Environmental Science Center

Arsenic and boron are common in the environment, and wildlife can be exposed to toxic concentrations through both natural and human-influenced processes. The authors exposed adult male mallard ducks to dietary concentrations of 300 ppm arsenic as sodium arsenate, 1,600 ppm boron as boric acid, or both and estimated the tissue accumulation and loss rates when the ducks were returned to uncontaminated food. Both elements were accumulated rapidly; equilibrium levels were reached for arsenic in 10 to 30 d and for boron in 2 to 15 d. Accumulation of each element was slowed by the presence of the other in the diet. Boron was eliminated by mallards very rapidly, with few detectable residues {ge}1 d after removal of boron from the diet; arsenic was also rapidly lost with half-lives of 1 to 3 d (half-lives were not constant throughout the loss period). Arsenic loss rate was not affected by the presence of boron. Arsenic accumulated to the highest level in liver tissue, with blood and brain levels lower; concentrations in the liver and blood were proportional but affected by the presence of boron. Boron concentrations were highest in the blood, followed by the brain and liver; concentrations in the liver and blood were proportional but affected by the presence of boron. Boron concentrations were highest in the blood, followed by the brain and liver; concentrations in the blood and liver were proportional.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 94315
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 14; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL HALF-LIFE
BORON
DUCKS
SENSITIVITY
SYNERGISM
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION