Ecological and biological determinants of trace elements accumulation in liver and kidney of Pontoporia blainvillei.
The present work tested whether ecological and biological variables have an influence on the assimilation of trace elements by the tissues of a cetacean from the Western South Atlantic Ocean. No significant differences were observed in the concentrations for both sexes. As individuals from the two sampling areas belong to distinct genetic and morphological populations, animals of similar body length were older on the southeastern than on the southern coast. The liver showed the highest concentrations of mercury, whereas the highest levels of cadmium were found in the kidney. Hepatic mercury, cadmium and selenium in individuals from the south coast were about four times as high as those from the southeast coast. However, arsenic in the liver and kidney were similar in both coastal areas. Hepatic mercury, cadmium and selenium concentrations increased with body length in individuals from the southeastern coast, although no significant correlations (P>0.05) were observed between body length from either area and the renal and hepatic As concentrations. A significant positive linear relationship was observed between molar concentrations of Hg and Se in the liver of all individuals from both areas (r2=0.93; P<0.001), presenting Se:Hg ratios close to 4. Differences found among the concentrations of Hg, Cd and Se in dolphins from both areas were probably due to the preferred prey, bioavailability of elements in each marine environment, and environment variables (water temperature, net primary production). As a consequence, concentrations of trace elements in the tissues of this species can be considered to be a result of the surrounding environment.
Departamento de Química, PUC-Rio, 22453-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. tercia@rdc.puc-rio.br
Tércia G
TG
Seixas
Helena do A
Hdo A
Kehrig
Gilberto
G
Fillmann
Ana Paula M
AP
Di Beneditto
Cristina M M
CM
Souza
Eduardo R
ER
Secchi
Isabel
I
Moreira
Olaf
O
Malm
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D001682:Biological Availability; D004289:Dolphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical