Heavy Metal Concentrations in Livers and Kidneys of the Otter ( Lutra lutra ) from Central Europe

Gutleb, Arno C.; Kranz, Andreas; Nechay, G.; Toman, A.

doi:10.1007/s001289900621

Cited by 41 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…Concentrations of Cd in adult river otters from this study were within the reported range. Means and individual concentrations of Cd in adults from this study were lower than the Table 2 Regional location comparisons using geometric mean metal (μg g −1 , dw) and organochlorine insecticide and metabolite concentrations (μg kg −1 , ww) in livers of adult river otter males collected in Oregon andWashington, 1994-1999 Mason and Reynolds 1988;Gutleb et al 1998). Mean hepatic THg was higher for CO, OP, SW, WB and WW than LCR for adult males (P=0.0011), with the same pattern noted for juveniles.…”

Section: Metalsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Environmental contaminants in male river otters from Oregon and Washington, USA, 1994–1999

Grove

Henny

2007

Environ Monit Assess

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This study reports hepatic concentrations and distribution patterns of select metals, organochlorine pesticides (OCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in 180 male river otters (Lontra canadensis) collected from Oregon and Washington, 1994-1999. Seven regional locations of western Oregon and Washington were delineated based on associations with major population centers, industry or agriculture. Cadmium (Cd) was not found above 0.5 microg g(-1), dry weight (dw) in juveniles, but increased with age in adults though concentrations were generally low (nd-1.18 microg g(-1), dw). Regional geometric means for total mercury (THg) ranged from 3.63 to 8.05 microg g(-1), dw in juveniles and 3.46-12.6 microg g(-1) (dw) in adults. The highest THg concentration was 148 microg g(-1), dw from an apparently healthy adult male from the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. Although THg increased with age in adult otters, the occurrence of the more toxic form methylmercury (MeHg) was not evaluated. Mean OC and PCB concentrations reported in this study declined dramatically from those reported in 1978-1979 from the lower Columbia River. Organochlorine pesticide and metabolite means for both juvenile and adult river otter males were all below 100 microg kg(-1), wet weight (ww), with only DDE, DDD and HCB having individual concentrations exceeding 500 microg kg(-1), ww. Mean SigmaPCB concentrations in both juvenile and adult male otters were below 1 microg g(-1) for all regional locations. Mean juvenile and adult concentrations of non-ortho substituted PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs were in the low ng kg(-1) for all locations studied.

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Section: Metalsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Environmental contaminants in male river otters from Oregon and Washington, USA, 1994–1999

Grove

Henny

2007

Environ Monit Assess

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“…Although incidents of Hg poisoning in wild mammals are rare, perhaps as a result of practitioners inability to observe and demonstrate the impacts, rather than an absence of the disease (Wren, 1986), mercury is known to be partially responsible for the decline of North American otters (Lutra canadensis) and European otters (Lutra lutra) (Gutleb et al, 1998;Wren, 1985). The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is registered in the TNP area.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury Contamination within Protected Areas in the Brazilian Northern Amazon-Amapa State

Venturieri¹,

Oliveira‐da‐Costa²,

Gama³

et al. 2017

American Journal of Environmental Sciences

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Mercury contamination is a long-standing environmental and social problem, notably in the Amazon. The widespread use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining has driven contamination of the environment and the people, threatening biodiversity, human health and livelihoods of traditional populations. Along the border area between Brazil and French Guiana, illegal gold mining is considered a critical threat to biodiversity, a social and economic problem and a political and diplomatic issue. On the Brazilian side in Amapá state, stands the world´s largest tropical forest National Park-Tumucumaque National Park (TNP). Despite its critical importance for the maintenance of ecosystem services, little is known about anthropic impacts in the area, including mercury contamination. The present study aims to assess the current levels of mercury contamination of carnivorous fish species in the TNP region as the starting point for the assessment of its impact over the integrity of protected areas and local communities. Fish samples were collected at 33 sampling sites within TNP and its surroundings. Samples of 187 most consumed local fish belonging to eight carnivore species were analyzed. Mercury was detected in 81% of the collected fish, the majority of them with individual levels above the WHO health safety limit (0.5 µg.g −1 ). Furthermore, samples from all rivers assessed presented some level of contamination. The contamination of important locally consumed fish is widespread in the study area. Important river basins in the Northern Amazon area are affected and even protected areas might be impacted by mercury. Our results suggest mercury as a significant threat to biodiversity and human health in the region. Additional studies should be conducted towards identifying the extent of the problem in the region and mitigation strategies addressing the effects of contamination must be incorporated in decision makers' priority agenda.

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“…While very little is known about the impacts of MeHg accumulation on giant otters of South America, studies indicate that mammalian wildlife and humans respond to MeHg in a comparable manner [14]. Furthermore, other members of the family Mustelidae including otter species in North America and Europe (Lutra canadensis, Lutra lutra) and American mink (Mustela vison) are highly sensitive to Hg, with neurochemical changes in the brain occurring at MeHg dietary concentrations of 0.5 mg/kg [15][16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gold Mining and Mercury Bioaccumulation in a Floodplain Lake and Main Channel of the Tambopata River, Perú

Roach¹,

Jacobsen²,

Fiorello³

et al. 2013

JEP

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Contamination of water bodies by inorganic mercury (Hg [II]) used in placer mining of gold deposits in the Madre de Dios Department, Perú, contributes to the bioaccumulation of methylmercury (MeHg) in fish tissue. We measured MeHg and total Hg (THg) concentrations (mg/kg wet weight [ww] tissue) of thirteen fish species from the Tambopata River, Perú, and the connected oxbow lake Tres Chimbadas. We also used stable isotope analysis (δ 15 N and δ 13 C) to estimate trophic positions of fishes. Average MeHg concentrations of fish species ranged from 0.042 mg/kg ww (Satanoperca jurupari) to 0.463 mg/kg ww (Hoplias malabaricus) in the main channel and from 0.090 mg/kg ww (Parauchenipterus sp.) to 1.282 mg/kg ww (Pimelodina flavipinnis) in the lake. Spearman rank correlation indicated that trophic position had no influence on MeHg concentrations of species in the main channel, but in the lake, trophic positions of species were positively associated with MeHg. Migrations of the pimelodid catfish surveyed from the main channel are well documented. Because little gold mining occurs at our study site, fishes from the main channel may be bioaccumulating MeHg from areas where mining is widespread. Fish species that reside in the lake are relatively sedentary and migration is limited by the brief period of floodplain inundation and the long, narrow corridor that connects the lake to the main channel; lake sediments are therefore the likely source for MeHg bioaccumulation. Five out of the eight fish species surveyed from the main channel and two out of the five species from the lake had MeHg levels higher than United States Environmental Protection Agency fish tissue criterion for human consumption.

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Heavy Metal Concentrations in Livers and Kidneys of the Otter ( Lutra lutra ) from Central Europe

Cited by 41 publications

References 7 publications

Environmental contaminants in male river otters from Oregon and Washington, USA, 1994–1999

Environmental contaminants in male river otters from Oregon and Washington, USA, 1994–1999

Mercury Contamination within Protected Areas in the Brazilian Northern Amazon-Amapa State

Gold Mining and Mercury Bioaccumulation in a Floodplain Lake and Main Channel of the Tambopata River, Perú

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Heavy Metal Concentrations in Livers and Kidneys of the Otter ( Lutra lutra ) from Central Europe

Cited by 41 publications

References 7 publications

Environmental contaminants in male river otters from Oregon and Washington, USA, 1994–1999

Environmental contaminants in male river otters from Oregon and Washington, USA, 1994–1999

Mercury Contamination within Protected Areas in the Brazilian Northern Amazon-Amapa State

Gold Mining and Mercury Bioaccumulation in a Floodplain Lake and Main Channel of the Tambopata River, Per&#250;

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Gold Mining and Mercury Bioaccumulation in a Floodplain Lake and Main Channel of the Tambopata River, Perú