Selenium and mercury concentrations in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from central California: health implications in an urbanized estuary. Academic Article

abstract

• We measured total selenium and total mercury concentrations ([TSe] and [THg]) in hair (n=138) and blood (n=73) of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from California to assess variation by geography and sex, and inferred feeding relationships based on carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotopes. Harbor seals from Hg-contaminated sites had significantly greater [THg], and lesser [TSe] and TSe:THg molar ratios than seals from a relatively uncontaminated site. Males had significantly greater [THg] than females at all locations. Sulfur stable isotope values explained approximately 25% of the variability in [THg], indicating increased Hg exposure for seals with a greater use of estuarine prey species. Decreased [TSe] in harbor seals from Hg-contaminated regions may indicate a relative Se deficiency to mitigate the toxic effects of Hg. Further investigation into the Se status and the potential negative impact of Hg on harbor seals from Hg-contaminated sites is warranted.

authors

• O'hara, Todd

published proceedings

• Mar Pollut Bull

author list (cited authors)

• McHuron, E. A., Harvey, J. T., Castellini, J. M., Stricker, C. A., & O'Hara, T. M.

citation count

• 31

complete list of authors

• McHuron, Elizabeth A||Harvey, James T||Castellini, J Margaret||Stricker, Craig A||O'Hara, Todd M

publication date

• June 2014

publisher

• Elsevier  Publisher

published in

• MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN  Journal

keywords

• Animals
• Blood
• California
• Estuaries
• Female
• Hair
• Male
• Marine Mammals
• Mercury
• Phoca
• San Francisco Bay
• Selenium
• Stable Isotopes (c, N, S)
• Trace Elements
• Urbanization
• Water Pollutants, Chemical

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.04.031

start page

• 48

end page

• 57

volume

• 83

issue

• 1

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.04.031