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。