Mercury-Selenium Correlations in Marine Mammals

Koeman, J.H.; Peeters, Wilma H.M.; Koudstaal-Hol, C. H. M.; Tjioe, P. S.; Goeij, J.J.M. de

doi:10.1038/245385a0

Cited by 406 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The mean molar ratio of liver mercury to selenium (1:18) in the subsistence gray whales was much lower than the 1:1 ratio observed in many toothed whales and pinnipeds (e.g., Koeman et al, 1973;Meador et al, 1993). The ratio in gray whales was more comparable to that in bowhead, which was 1:40 .…”

Section: Elementsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Chemical contaminants in juvenile gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) from a subsistence harvest in Arctic feeding grounds

et al. 2002

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Gray whales are coastal migratory baleen whales that are benthic feeders. Most of their feeding takes place in the northern Pacific Ocean with opportunistic feeding taking place during their migrations and residence on the breeding grounds. The concentrations of organochlorines and trace elements were determined in tissues and stomach contents of juvenile gray whales that were taken on their Arctic feeding grounds in the western Bering Sea during a Russian subsistence harvest. These concentrations were compared to previously published data for contaminants in gray whales that stranded along the west coast of the US during their northbound migration. Feeding in coastal waters during their migrations may present a risk of exposure to toxic chemicals in some regions. The mean concentration (standard error of the mean, SEM) of P PCBs [1400 (130) ng/g, lipid weight] in the blubber of juvenile subsistence whales was significantly lower than the mean level [27 000 (11 000) ng/g, lipid weight] reported previously in juvenile gray whales that stranded in waters off the west coast of the US. Aluminum in stomach contents of the subsistence whales was high compared to other marine mammal species, which is consistent with the ingestion of sediment during feeding. Furthermore, the concentrations of potentially toxic chemicals in tissues were relatively low when compared to the concentrations in tissues of other marine mammals feeding at higher trophic levels. These chemical contaminant data for the subsistence gray whales substantially increase the information available for presumably healthy animals. Ó

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Section: Elementsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Chemical contaminants in juvenile gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) from a subsistence harvest in Arctic feeding grounds

et al. 2002

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“…Likewise, Woshner et al (2008) observed a weak relationship between Hg and Se in the blood of bottlenose dolphins. A strong correlation and equimolar ratio were found especially in the livers of marine mammals when the main form of Hg is inorganic (Cuvin-Aralar and Furness, 1991; Koeman et al, 1973).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It functions through selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase (Dorea, 2002), and protects animals from the toxicity of both inorganic Hg and MeHg (Khan and Wang, 2009). In higher-trophic marine animals, demethylation processes of MeHg are known to occur in the liver with a subsequent formation of HgSe granules (tiemannite), explaining the 1:1 M ratio of Se and Hg observed in these animals (Cuvin-Aralar and Furness, 1991; Koeman et al, 1973;Nigro and Leonzio, 1996). The biomineral HgSe is assumed to be an inert end-product of the detoxification pathway (Martoja and Berry, 1980).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blood dynamics of mercury and selenium in northern elephant seals during the lactation period

Habran

Debier

Crocker

et al. 2011

Environmental Pollution

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a b s t r a c tThe effects of reproduction and maternal investment (i.e., milk transfer) on trace element levels remain poorly understood in marine mammals. We examined the blood dynamics of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) during lactation in the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), a top predator from the North Pacific Ocean. Total Hg and Se levels were measured in whole blood and milk of 10 motherepup pairs on days 5 and 22 of lactation. Both Hg and Se were transferred to offspring through the milk. Results suggested that the maternal transfer of Se was prominent during lactation, whereas the Hg transfer was larger during gestation. The lactation period affected Hg and Se levels in the blood of elephant seal mothers and pups. Physiological processes and their relationship to body condition should be considered carefully when interpreting trace element levels in the framework of biomonitoring.

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“…It is not known whether the selenium is free or bound but it could possibly contribute to the detoxification of cadmium (Dietz et al 1998c). At least some of the selenium is believed to be bound to the mercury and thereby detoxifying the high mercury levels in marine mammals (Koeman et al 1973). But in general selenium is present in molar excess to mercury in most tissues of Arctic species and could therefore contribute to the detoxifying of cadmium (Dietz et al in press).…”

Section: Seleniummentioning

confidence: 99%

Cadmium toxicity to ringed seals (Phoca hispida): an epidemiological study of possible cadmium-induced nephropathy and osteodystrophy in ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from Qaanaaq in Northwest Greenland

Sonne¹,

Dietz²,

Leifsson

et al. 2002

Science of The Total Environment

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An epidemiological study of possible cadmium induced nephropathy and osteodystrophy in ringed seals (Phoca hispida) Reproduction is permitted, provided the source is explicitly acknowledged Abstract: Cadmium concentrations in kidneys from ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from North West Greenland (Qaanaaq) are high. Concentrations range at level known to induce renal toxic effects (mainly tubulopathy) and demineralisation (osteopenia) of the skeletal system (Fanconi's Syndrome) in humans as well as laboratory mammals. We have studied possible cadmium induced histopathological changes in the kidneys as well as a demineralisation of the skeletal system (DXA-scanning of lumbal vertebraes). No obvious cadmium induced toxic changes were found. Food composition and physiological adaptations may explain the absence of toxic effects of cadmium in ringed seal

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Mercury-Selenium Correlations in Marine Mammals

Cited by 406 publications

References 5 publications

Chemical contaminants in juvenile gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) from a subsistence harvest in Arctic feeding grounds

Chemical contaminants in juvenile gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) from a subsistence harvest in Arctic feeding grounds

Blood dynamics of mercury and selenium in northern elephant seals during the lactation period

Cadmium toxicity to ringed seals (Phoca hispida): an epidemiological study of possible cadmium-induced nephropathy and osteodystrophy in ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from Qaanaaq in Northwest Greenland

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