Trace element concentrations in blood of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Wadden Sea

Abstract

12Concentrations of 23 elements (Be, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, 13Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Sn, Pt, Pb) were evaluated in whole blood samples of live 14 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from two different locations in the Wadden Sea, the 15 Lorenzenplate in Germany, and the Danish island RØmØ. Elemental blood levels 16 were compared to data from literature of seals, other marine mammals and humans. 17While homeostatically controlled elements showed no differences, concentrations of 18As, Cr, Mn, Mo, Se, and V were higher than human levels. Furthermore, animals 19 from both locations showed significant geographical differences in whole blood 20 concentrations of Al, Mn, Cu, and Pt. These findings could be explained by 21 differences in feeding areas. The element pattern was not affected by gender. In 22 conclusion, these findings indicate an impact of the environment on biochemical 23 blood parameters of the harbor seals. The significant differences of elements in blood 24 samples of two groups of seals, which were associated with geographical variations 25 2 of prey support the use of element pattern in blood as tool for investigation of 1 environmental impact on seals. 2 3

How are trace elements mobilized during the postweaning fast in Northern elephant seals?

“…The coefficients of variation were approximately 9 AE 2% for the first group of elements and approximately 26 AE 11% for the second group. Blood concentrations of elements found in northern elephant seal pups were comparable to those reported in studies of other phocid species [25][26][27][28]. Concentrations of elements (Ca, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) in blood of northern elephant seals slightly varied throughout the postweaning fast: Concentrations at week 9 were between 85 and 115% of their initial value at weaning.…”

Postmortem Health and Pollution Investigations on Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) of the Islands Helgoland and Sylt

“…For whole blood samples the sample preparation and multielement determination were done according to the procedure described in former studies [3]. For plasma analysis, the whole blood was centrifuged (3000 g, Centrifuge 5804G, Eppendorf AG), diluted (1 + 9) by MilliQ water, and filtered (<0.2 μm, Nylon ProFillTMPlus, MedChrom GmbH, Flörsheim-Dalsheim, Germany).…”

“…Besides determining contamination levels of selected environmental compartments such as sediments or the related water column, measuring body burdens of marine animals remains a widely established environmental assessment strategy [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. In this context, marine mammals such as harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are accepted indicators, in particular for medium and long-term ecosystem changes, due to their long lifespan and their role as top predators within the marine food web [8].…”

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

“…Evaluation of current contaminant effects on a wild marine mammal population requires samples collected from living animals (Bryan et al, 2007;Griesel et al, 2008). Accessible samples from free-ranging marine mammals are generally limited to blood, fur/hair, skin biopsies, saliva, and feces (Andrade et al, 2007;Fossi and Marsili, 1997;Griesel et al, 2008;Stavros et al, 2008a).…”

“…Accessible samples from free-ranging marine mammals are generally limited to blood, fur/hair, skin biopsies, saliva, and feces (Andrade et al, 2007;Fossi and Marsili, 1997;Griesel et al, 2008;Stavros et al, 2008a). Blood from free-ranging marine mammals has become increasingly used in determining baseline levels of trace elements (Brookens et al, 2007;Bryan et al, 2007;Das et al, 2008;Gray et al, 2008;Griesel et al, 2008;Kakuschke et al, 2005;Nielsen et al, 2000;Stavros et al, 2008a;Woshner et al, 2008).…”