Dear all,
a new publication to harbor seals of the North and Baltic Sea is now available:
Kakuschke, A. & Griesel, S.
ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC ELEMENTS IN BLOOD SAMPLES OF HARBOR SEALS (PHOCA VITULINA) FROM THE ISLANDS HELGOLAND (NORTH SEA) AND ANHOLT (BALTIC SEA) – A COMPARISON STUDY WITH URBANIZED AREAS
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
DOI 10.1007/s00244-015-0205-0
Abstract
The harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from Helgoland (North Sea) and Anholt (Kattegat, Baltic Sea) are top predators within the marine food web and an indicator species of the environmental contamination. Furthermore, they are a main tourist attraction. Despite these important roles, little is known about the health and pollutant contamination of these seals. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate 18 essential and nonessential / toxic elements (Al, As, Be, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, and Zn) in blood samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and total X-ray-fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF).
Blood concentrations of mineral nutrients like Ca, K, P, and S were within the reference ranges described for harbor seals. Likewise, for the trace elements As, Be, Rb, Se, and Sr no significant differences were observed compared to previous studies. Interestingly, blood concentrations of nine nonessential as well as essential trace metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn) measured significantly lower in the offshore living seals from Helgoland and Anholt when compared to results obtained from animals living close to urbanized areas, such as the Wadden Sea and Elbe estuary. This suggests that industrial emissions, sewage deposition, shipping traffic and dredging tasks might be the cause of increased metal concentrations of inshore harbor seals.
For further questions do not hesitate to contact me:
Antje Kakuschke
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