title: Mercury in polar bears from Alaska.
abstract: Alaskan polar bear (Ursus maritimus) muscle and liver samples collected in 1972 were analyzed for total mercury. Bears north of Alaska had more mercury than bears west of Alaska. The only difference between young and adult animals was in the northern area where adults had more mercury in liver tissue than young animals. Levels were probably not high enough to be a serious threat to bears.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000413:Alaska; D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D002335:Carnivora / Q000378:metabolism*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D009132:Muscles / Q000032:analysis; D001503:Ursidae / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008628:Mercury