Stable isotope and trace element status of subsistence-hunted bowhead and beluga whales in Alaska and gray whales in Chukotka.
Tissues of bowhead, beluga, and gray whales were analyzed for Ag, Cd, Cu, Se, Zn, THg and MeHg (belugas only). Delta15N and delta13C in muscle were used to estimate trophic position and feeding habitat, respectively. Trace element concentrations in tissues were significantly different among whale species. Hepatic Ag was higher in belugas than bowheads and gray whales. Gray whales had lower Cd concentrations in liver and kidney than bowhead and belugas and a sigmoid correlation of Cd with length was noted for all whales. Renal and hepatic Se and THg were higher in belugas than in baleen whales. The hepatic molar ratio of Se:THg exceeded 1:1 in all species and was negatively correlated to body length. Hepatic and renal Zn in subsistence-harvested gray whales was lower than concentrations for stranded whales. Se:THg molar ratios and tissue concentrations of Zn may show promise as potential indicators of immune status and animal health.
Dehn
Larissa-A
LA
Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000, USA. ftld@uaf.edu
Follmann
Erich H
EH
Rosa
Cheryl
C
Duffy
Lawrence K
LK
Thomas
Dana L
DL
Bratton
Gerald R
GR
Taylor
Robert J
RJ
O'Hara
Todd M
TM
D000413:Alaska; D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D002170:Canada; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D012623:Seawater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014907:Whales
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical