title: Trace element concentrations in blood of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Wadden Sea.
abstract: Concentrations of 23 elements (Be, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Sn, Pt, Pb) were evaluated in whole blood samples of live harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from two different locations in the Wadden Sea, the Lorenzenplate in Germany, and the Danish island Rømø. Elemental blood levels were compared to data from literature of seals, other marine mammals and humans. While homeostatically controlled elements showed no differences, concentrations of As, Cr, Mn, Mo, Se, and V were higher than human levels. Furthermore, animals from both locations showed significant geographical differences in whole blood concentrations of Al, Mn, Cu, and Pt. These findings could be explained by differences in feeding areas. The element pattern was not affected by gender. In conclusion, these findings indicate an impact of the environment on biochemical blood parameters of the harbor seals. The significant differences of elements in blood samples of two groups of seals, which were associated with geographical variations of prey support the use of element pattern in blood as tool for investigation of environmental impact on seals.
authors.affiliation: Department for Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry, Institute for Coastal Research, GKSS Research Centre, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany. simone.griesel@gkss.de
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Griesel
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kakuschke
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Siebert
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prange
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000097:blood*; D003718:Denmark; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000097:blood*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D046049:Phoca / Q000097:blood*; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D012643:Selenium; D001151:Arsenic