Mercury content in the fur of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from the Commander Islands

Ryazanov, Sergey D.; Фомин, С. В.; Калинчук, В. В.

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114638

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…THg concentrations in southern sea otters from the current study were compared to levels measured in previous studies in sea otters (Brancato et al, 2009;Brown et al, 2021;Kannan et al, 2006Kannan et al, , 2008Ryazanov et al, 2023), as well as other marine mammals and terrestrial furbearers (Figure 6). Previous studies in river otters and mink have demonstrated similar brain and fur THg ranges compared to this study (0.48-9.55 μg/g and 1.73-46.1 μg/g, respectively), while the liver THg range from the current study (2.01-42.8 μg/g) was more consistent with previous studies in sea otters.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Kannan et al (2008) showed that mean liver THg concentrations from sea otters in coastal California (13 μg/g dw) were higher than from Prince William Sound, Alaska (11 μg/g dw), Washington State (8.6 μg/g dw), and Kamchatka, Russia (1.8 μg/g dw), noting also that sea otters are sensitive indicators of local pollution. The most recent study reported mean fur THg = 2.79 μg/g dw in sea otters from the Commander Islands, Russia (Ryazanov et al, 2023). This value is substantially lower than mean fur THg from the current study (14.7 μg/g dw) and could represent a difference between the Asian and southern subspecies, or differing pollutant loadings to the diets between the two areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recently, Hg content was assessed in the fur of 34 Asian sea otters from the Commander Islands, Russia; Hg concentrations in adult sea otters were significantly higher than in younger animals, and higher in males than in females. The mean Hg concentration in fur for adults ( n = 19) was 2.79 ± 2.23 μg/g dw (Ryazanov et al, 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of mercury concentrations in fur, liver, and brain tissue from necropsied southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Hawk,

Dunkin,

Batac

et al. 2024

Marine Mammal Science

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Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) are a federally listed threatened keystone species of the California kelp forest ecosystem and a sentinel species, indicating environmental health. Mercury (Hg) is a bioaccumulative neurotoxin that poses a threat to high trophic‐level species such as marine mammals. We quantified total Hg (THg) concentrations in fur, brain, and liver tissues of necropsied southern sea otters (n = 44) that stranded along the California coast from 2010 to 2019. THg concentrations differed significantly between fur and brain, and between liver and brain. Tissue type explained 64%, and sex explained only 3.3% of overall THg variability (0.48–46.1 μg/g dry weight). All individuals had liver Hg concentrations measuring well under the proposed lower‐limit low risk guideline for harp seals, Pagophilus groenlandicus. However, six sea otters exceeded the liver THg moderate risk threshold for terrestrial furbearers to which sea otters are closely related. These data represent baseline THg concentrations in fur, brain, and liver of the southern sea otter and build upon previous studies in various sea otter subspecies. Research on sea otter Hg tolerance and continued monitoring are needed to clarify potential health risks associated with the tissue concentrations observed in this study.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of mercury concentrations in fur, liver, and brain tissue from necropsied southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Hawk,

Dunkin,

Batac

et al. 2024

Marine Mammal Science

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Global mercury concentrations in biota: their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework

Evers,

Ackerman,

Åkerblom

et al. 2024

Ecotoxicology

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An important provision of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the adopted measures and its implementation. Here, we describe for the first time currently available biotic mercury (Hg) data on a global scale to improve the understanding of global efforts to reduce the impact of Hg pollution on people and the environment. Data from the peer-reviewed literature were compiled in the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis (GBMS) database (>550,000 data points). These data provide a foundation for establishing a biomonitoring framework needed to track Hg concentrations in biota globally. We describe Hg exposure in the taxa identified by the Minamata Convention: fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. Based on the GBMS database, Hg concentrations are presented at relevant geographic scales for continents and oceanic basins. We identify some effective regional templates for monitoring methylmercury (MeHg) availability in the environment, but overall illustrate that there is a general lack of regional biomonitoring initiatives around the world, especially in Africa, Australia, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Temporal trend data for Hg in biota are generally limited. Ecologically sensitive sites (where biota have above average MeHg tissue concentrations) have been identified throughout the world. Efforts to model and quantify ecosystem sensitivity locally, regionally, and globally could help establish effective and efficient biomonitoring programs. We present a framework for a global Hg biomonitoring network that includes a three-step continental and oceanic approach to integrate existing biomonitoring efforts and prioritize filling regional data gaps linked with key Hg sources. We describe a standardized approach that builds on an evidence-based evaluation to assess the Minamata Convention’s progress to reduce the impact of global Hg pollution on people and the environment.

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Mercury and stable nitrogen isotope ratios in the hair of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus nauticus) from the Sea of Okhotsk

Trukhin,

Kalinchuk,

Rumiantseva

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Mercury content in the fur of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) from the Commander Islands

Cited by 4 publications

References 60 publications

Assessment of mercury concentrations in fur, liver, and brain tissue from necropsied southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Assessment of mercury concentrations in fur, liver, and brain tissue from necropsied southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

Global mercury concentrations in biota: their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework

Mercury and stable nitrogen isotope ratios in the hair of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus nauticus) from the Sea of Okhotsk

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