Trace metals in Antarctic fur seal ( Arctocephalus gazella) livers from Bird Island, South Georgia

Samples of liver from 11 female Antarctic fur seals ( Arctocephalus gazella) from Bird Island, South Georgia were analysed for 16 trace elements (Mg, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, I, Ba, La, Ce, Hg, and Pb). The mean concentration for each element (mg kg −1 dry wt) was Mg, 727; Cr, 1; Cu, 263;...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 1994-06, Vol.28 (6), p.375-380
Main Authors: Malcolm, H.M, Boyd, I.L, Osborn, D, French, M.C, Freestone, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Arctocephalus gazella
Biological and medical sciences
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Mammalia
Marine
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Summary:Samples of liver from 11 female Antarctic fur seals ( Arctocephalus gazella) from Bird Island, South Georgia were analysed for 16 trace elements (Mg, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, I, Ba, La, Ce, Hg, and Pb). The mean concentration for each element (mg kg −1 dry wt) was Mg, 727; Cr, 1; Cu, 263; Zn, 384; Rb, 7; Sr, 0.3; Mo, 1; Cd, 350; Hg, 215; Pb, 0.1. Levels of Co, Sn, I, Ba, La, and Ce were below the limits of detection. For the majority of elements, the measured concentrations were considerably higher than concentrations previously reported in seals. Significant Spearman correlation coefficients were obtained between Cd and Hg, Cd and Zn, Hg and Zn, Sr and Mo, age and Cd, and age and Hg. The toxicological significance of these concentrations is discussed.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/0025-326X(94)90275-5