Mercury Levels in Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) from the Warta Mouth National Park, Northwestern Poland

Abstract

This is the first report on mercury (Hg) levels in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, and brain of raccoon in Europe. It studied Hg concentration in 24 raccoons from the Warta Mouth National Park, northwestern Poland by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The highest total Hg concentrations in the raccoon were found in the liver (maximum, 18.45 mg/kg dry weight), while the lowest in the brain (maximum, 0.49 mg/kg dw). In adult raccoons, Hg concentrations in the liver, kidney, and brain were higher than in immature individuals (p < 0.001), while similar in skeletal muscle in both age groups. Our results are consistent with studies by other authors conducted in North America in areas with similar environmental conditions.

Selenium and mercury in the hair of raccoons (Procyon lotor) and European wildcats (Felis s. silvestris) from Germany and Luxembourg

“…Smaller mammals, such as mink, cats, otters, and raccoons appear to be more resistant to Hg than larger animals, likely due to differences in the rate of metabolism and a higher rate of detoxification (Eisler 2006;Lanocha et al 2014). It has been estimated that THg concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 mg kg −1 in the hair of piscivorous mammals represent normal background levels (Sheffy and St. Amant 1982).…”

“…It has been estimated that THg concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 mg kg −1 in the hair of piscivorous mammals represent normal background levels (Sheffy and St. Amant 1982). Based on a literature review, the US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed that a level of 1.1 mg kg −1 ww (5.5 mg kg −1 dw) in hair and organs with central roles in detoxification "should be considered as presumptive evidence of an environmental mercury problem" (Eisler 2000;Lanocha et al 2014). Moreover, hair THg levels of 30 mg kg −1 have been identified as the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for terrestrial mammalian wildlife (Basu et al 2007;Crowley et al 2018;Evers et al 2007).…”

“…Moreover, hair THg levels of 30 mg kg −1 have been identified as the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for terrestrial mammalian wildlife (Basu et al 2007;Crowley et al 2018;Evers et al 2007). Ecotoxicological studies with raccoons, conducted mainly in North America, have examined mainly the liver, kidney, and, less frequently, the hair (Lanocha et al 2014;Lord et al 2002;Porcella et al 2004;Souza et al 2013). Literature shows hair THg levels in piscivorous mammals, such as the raccoon, ranging from~0.3 to~13 mg kg −1 dw (Table 3).…”

“…Total mercury concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The assays were run in an AMA 254 mercury analyzer (Altach Ltd, Czech Republic) in accordance with the procedure described by Lanocha et al (2014). The detection limit for this device is 0.01 ng THg.…”

Hair and bone as predictors of tissular mercury concentration in the Western Alaska Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes

“…Kiener and Zaitsev (2010) and Lanocha et al (2014). Mercury concentrations in terrestrial mammals occasionally show a wide intraspecific variability (Duffy et al 2005; Kalisinskia et al 2009, 2012) influenced by natural environmental differences.…”