Concentrations of total mercury ([THg]) and selenium ([TSe]) were measured in several tissue compartments in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups; in addition we determined specific compartment and body burdens of THg. Compartmental and body burdens were calculated by multiplying specific compartment fresh weight by the [THg] (summing compartment burdens equals body burden). In all 6 pup tissue sets (1) highest [THg] was in hair, (2) lowest [THg] was in bone, and (3) pelt, muscle and liver burdens contributed the top three highest percentages of THg body burden. In 5 of 6 pups the Se:Hg molar ratios among compartments ranged from 0.9 to 43.0. The pup with the highest hair [THg] had Se:Hg molar ratios in 9 of 14 compartments that were ? 0.7 potentially indicating an inadequate [TSe] relative to [THg].
Notes
Cites: Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2001 Nov;41(4):403-911598777
Cites: Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2002 Dec;133(4):527-3612458181
Cites: Mar Pollut Bull. 2002 Oct;44(10):1130-512474974
Cites: Toxicol Lett. 2003 Jan 31;137(1-2):103-1012505436