Abstract：
Mercury is a global contaminant that bioaccumulates in a tissue-specific manner in long-lived predators such as Steller sea lions (SSL). Bone is a well-preserved material amenable for studying millennial scale trends; however, little is known about the distribution and variability of total mercury concentrations ([THg]) within individual bones and among bone elements in SSL. We assessed SSL bone [THg] variability with respect to physiologic age, bone type, longitudinally within a bone, and among bone elements. Pup bones (mean ± SD; 31.4 ± 13.58 ppb) had greater [THg] than adults (7.9 ± 1.91 ppb). There were greater and more variable [THg] within individual long bones near epiphyses compared to mid-diaphysis. Pup spongy bone in ribs (62.7 ± 44.79 ppb) had greater [THg] than long bones (23.5 ± 8.83 ppb) and phalanges (19.6 ± 10.78 ppb). These differences are likely due to variability in bone composition, growth, and turnover rate. This study informs standardized sampling procedures for [THg] in bone to improve interpretations of mercury variability over time and space.
摘要：
汞是一种全球污染物，在诸如斯特勒海狮（SSL）之类的长寿命捕食者中以组织特异性方式进行生物积累。骨是一种保存完好的材料，适合研究千年规模的趋势；然而，关于SSL中单个骨骼内和骨骼元素之间的总汞浓度（[THg]）的分布和变异性知之甚少。我们评估了SSL骨[THg]相对于生理年龄的变异性，骨类型,在骨头内纵向，和骨骼元素之间。幼犬骨骼（平均值±SD；31.4±13.58ppb）的[THg]高于成人（7.9±1.91ppb）。与中骨干相比，骨phy附近的单个长骨中的[THg]更大，变化更大。肋骨中的小狗海绵状骨（62.7±44.79ppb）的[THg]大于长骨（23.5±8.83ppb）和指骨（19.6±10.78ppb）。这些差异可能是由于骨成分的变化，增长,和周转率。这项研究提供了骨骼中[THg]的标准化采样程序，以改善对汞随时间和空间变化的解释。
