Arsenic speciation in bodily fluids of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)

Abstract

11 12Environmental context. Marine mammals as top predators ingest a lot of arsenic from their food. In this 13 study liver samples and body fluids of marine mammals from the North and Baltic Seas were investigated 14 for arsenic speciation in order to get some information about their feeding habits. Only organic arsenic 15 compounds with low toxicity were detected in all investigated samples. Although a high quantitative 16 variability was observed, the same compounds were determined in all fluids examined. 18Abstract. The total arsenic concentrations in whole blood of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and in liver 19 tissues of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) were determined using TXRF (total-reflection X-ray 20 fluorescence spectrometry). The total arsenic concentration found in whole blood was lower for fish-fed ). In porpoise liver the arsenic concentrations were higher from carcases found in the North Sea (217- ). 25Furthermore the total arsenic content and arsenic species in urine, plasma, and gastric juice of seals and 26 the urine of porpoises, which were collected from animals at different areas in the North and Baltic Seas, 27were determined using ICPMS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry . The arsenic is almost entirely present in inorganic forms.[1] 49Marine organisms are known to accumulate and convert inorganic arsenic to organic arsenic compounds. 50Mammals such as porpoises and seals living in the marine environment and feeding exclusively on marine 51 organisms are in an exceptional position. As top predators they could accumulate arsenic due to their 52 position in the food web. Goessler et al., reported in 1997 the arsenic concentrations and speciation in a 53 three organism marine food chain starting with a seaweed followed by two gastropods. They showed that 54 arsenic was accumulated and metabolized within this food chain.[2] These results were in contrast to those 55of Kubota et al., who found lower arsenic concentrations in marine mammals (seals and porpoises) 56 compared to those of lower tropic level marine organisms from other studies.[3] Furthermore Kubota et al. 57investigated a possible correlation between arsenic accumulation and gender, age (or body length), or 58 feeding habits in liver tissues of 16 different marine mammal species. The determined arsenic 59concentrations varied widely among species and individuals ranging from 100 to 7680 µg kg -1 dry mass. 60Marine mammals feeding on fish contained lower arsenic concentrations compared to animals feeding on 61cephalopods and crustaceans but no trend with gender or age could be seen.[3] 62Seals feed with regional and seasonal variations on fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods, [4] in contrast to 63 harbor porpoises, which feed mainly on fish and less frequently on molluscs and squids.[5] 64Arsenic contents in tissues of field-collected marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates have been reported 65 in quantities ranges from less than 1000 up to 30000 µg As kg -1 dry mass. [6][7] Total arsenic content in 66 whole blood of...

The role of speciation in environmental chemistry and the case for quality criteria

“…In addition to the articles mentioned so far, this issue of Environmental Chemistry contains eight papers covering some aspect of speciation. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] This high percentage is consistent with Environmental Chemistry's focus on understanding chemical processes, particularly at compartmental interfaces where speciation plays such a major role in influencing transport and biological uptake.…”

Comparison of different methods for the absolute quantification of harbour seal transferrin glycoforms using HPLC-ICP-MS

“…In particular the bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants in the tissues of marine mammals is suspected to cause suppression of the immune system, which increases the vulnerability of these organisms to pathogens or infectious diseases. [7][8][9] Within this context different studies were already conducted, focusing on the health/immune status [10][11][12] and/or contaminant body burdens [13][14][15][16] as well as standard clinical chemistry parameters 17 and several acute phase proteins (APP) [17][18][19] of seals living in different regions of the Wadden Sea ecosystem. Especially APP, which are synthesised in the liver during an acute phase reaction, are interesting markers for the health status of an individual.…”

Metallomics approach for the identification of the iron transport protein transferrin in the blood of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina)

“…Therefore, it is recommended to use a set of biomarkers in conjunction with other chemical and biological measurements. 9 Several studies concerning the health/immune status [10][11][12] and/or contaminant body burdens [13][14][15][16] of harbour seals were conducted in the Wadden Sea. The list of investigated parameters includes trace elements 14 and selected element species, 16 organic contaminants, 17 lymphocyte proliferation 11,18 and several acute phase proteins (APP), 17,19,20 as well as standard clinical chemistry parameters.…”