Metal tissue levels in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups

Holmes, Amie L.; Wise, Sandra S.; Goertz, Caroline E. C.; Dunn, J. Lawrence; Gulland, Frances M. D.; Gelatt, Tom; Beckmen, Kimberlee B.; Burek, Kathy A.; Atkinson, Shannon; Bozza, Mary; Taylor, Robert L.; Zheng, Tongzhang; Zhang, Yawei; Aboueissa, AbouEl-Makarim; Wise, John Pierce

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.05.007

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Mercury is known to bioaccumulate in liver and to some extent in kidney resulting in higher [THg] with increased age. In adult South American sea lions, liver [THg] have been reported [45] more than 100-fold greater than [THg] in pup liver from this and previous studies [9,43]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

“…Liver and kidney [THg] have not been extensively studied in sea lion pups. Sydeman and Jarman [43] and Holmes et al [9] are among the few published studies to date that evaluated [THg] in various tissues of Steller sea lion pups. In the current study 5 of 6 pups were males and had higher [THg] in brain, heart and lungs when compared to the Aleutian Island males from Holmes et al [9].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sydeman and Jarman [43] and Holmes et al [9] are among the few published studies to date that evaluated [THg] in various tissues of Steller sea lion pups. In the current study 5 of 6 pups were males and had higher [THg] in brain, heart and lungs when compared to the Aleutian Island males from Holmes et al [9]. These same 5 pups had lower [THg] in kidney and liver but similar concentrations in testes to those found in the Aleutian Island males from Holmes et al These differences may be age dependent as the Aleutian Island males were approximately 1 year old from Holmes et al [44] and the males in the current study were < 2 months old.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Steller sea lion populations in the western DPS, particularly those in the western Aleutian Islands, have been slow to recover from dramatic population declines that occurred during the 1970s and 1980s [5-8]. Several causes have been hypothesized, such as nutritional stress, fisheries competition, and chemical pollution among others, but no studies have produced conclusive evidence [5,9-11]. Chemical pollution, including exposure to contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and Hg, has been under study for several years as a potential cause for the lack of recovery of Steller sea lions in the western DPS [1,2,9,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several causes have been hypothesized, such as nutritional stress, fisheries competition, and chemical pollution among others, but no studies have produced conclusive evidence [5,9-11]. Chemical pollution, including exposure to contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and Hg, has been under study for several years as a potential cause for the lack of recovery of Steller sea lions in the western DPS [1,2,9,12]. Determining Hg distribution in Steller sea lion tissues (and in piscivorous marine mammal tissues in general) is an important step in understanding Hg toxicity in this species, especially in the fetus and neonate as the main cohorts of concern (e.g., exposure of the dam during gestation).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of mercury and selenium tissular concentrations and total mercury body burden in 6 Steller sea lion pups from the Aleutian Islands

Correa

Rea

Bentzen

et al. 2014

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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Concentrations of total mercury ([THg]) and selenium ([TSe]) were measured in several tissue compartments in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups; in addition we determined specific compartment and body burdens of THg. Compartmental and body burdens were calculated by multiplying specific compartment fresh weight by the [THg] (summing compartment burdens equals body burden). In all 6 pup tissue sets 1) highest [THg] was in hair, 2) lowest [THg] was in bone, and 3) pelt, muscle and liver burdens contributed the top three highest percentages of THg body burden. In 5 of 6 pups the Se:Hg molar ratios among compartments ranged from 0.9 to 43.0. The pup with the highest hair [THg] had Se:Hg molar ratios in 9 of 14 compartments that were ≤ 0.7 potentially indicating an inadequate [TSe] relative to [THg].

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 56%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Assessment of mercury and selenium tissular concentrations and total mercury body burden in 6 Steller sea lion pups from the Aleutian Islands

Correa

Rea

Bentzen

et al. 2014

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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Total Mercury, Total Selenium, and Monomethylmercury Relationships in Multiple Age Cohorts and Tissues of Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

Castellini

Rea

Avery

et al. 2022

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) tissue mercury concentrations increasingly above thresholds of concern occur in regions of Alaska where lack of population recovery is noted. Selenium-monomethylmercury interactions may mitigate toxicosis but may also result in functional selenium deficiency, impacting essential selenium-dependent processes. Physiologically driven differences in tissue concentrations (organotropism) of total mercury ([THg]), total selenium ([TSe]), and monomethylmercury ([MeHg + ]) confound interpretation for various age cohorts. Archived tissues from Alaska Steller sea lions (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015)(2016) were used to compare [THg], [MeHg + ], and [TSe] across age cohorts and tissue types. Liver [THg] ranged from 0.05 to 63.7 µg/g. Fetal and pup livers had significantly lower [THg] and [TSe], higher percentage MeHg + , and greater range of molar TSe:THg than subadult and adult livers. Molar Se:MeHg + ratios, including Se in excess of nonmethylmercury, were dependent on [MeHg + ] in fetuses and pups. While [THg] varied significantly by muscle type (heart vs. skeletal) and anatomical location, concentrations were strongly correlated. Biomagnification and/or bioaccumulation of THg in liver of older animals confounded comparison with other tissues; however, in fetal and pup liver [THg] correlated with other tissues. In contrast, liver [MeHg + ] correlated with other tissues across all age classes. Fetal and pup tissues, which reflect in utero exposure and are subject to limited bioaccumulation, are ideal for assessing mercury exposure related to dam diet, including intertissue comparison, and represent key cohorts of concern. Evaluating [MeHg + ] and [TSe] in tissues from multiple age cohorts allows better intertissue comparison, providing insight into time courses, routes of exposure, and potential for adverse effects.

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Mercury Concentrations in Hair from Neonatal and Juvenile Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus): Implications Based on Age and Region in this Northern Pacific Marine Sentinel Piscivore

et al. 2012

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Mercury is a global contaminant of concern for the fetus and the neonate of piscivores. Methylmercury, produced within marine ecosystems, is of particular concern as a readily absorbed neurotoxicant transported across the blood brain barrier and transplacentally. In the North Pacific Ocean, Steller sea lions are broadly distributed apex predators and, as such, integrate complex food webs and the associated exposure and possible adverse effects of toxic and infectious agents. Hair, including lanugo, was examined using regional and age groupings to assess mercury concentrations in young Alaskan Steller sea lions. The highest concentrations of mercury occurred in the youngest animals, likely via in utero exposure. Based on the adverse developmental outcomes of methylmercury toxicity this specific cohort is of concern. Regionally, higher concentrations of mercury were observed in the endangered western population of Steller sea lions and mirrored patterns observed in human biomonitoring studies of Alaskan coastal communities. These data have broader implications with respect to human and ecosystem health as Steller sea lions rely on similar prey species and foraging areas as those targeted by commercial fisheries and subsistence users and are therefore valuable sentinels of marine ecosystem health.

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Metal tissue levels in Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) pups

Cited by 14 publications

References 20 publications

Assessment of mercury and selenium tissular concentrations and total mercury body burden in 6 Steller sea lion pups from the Aleutian Islands

Assessment of mercury and selenium tissular concentrations and total mercury body burden in 6 Steller sea lion pups from the Aleutian Islands

Total Mercury, Total Selenium, and Monomethylmercury Relationships in Multiple Age Cohorts and Tissues of Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus)

Mercury Concentrations in Hair from Neonatal and Juvenile Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus): Implications Based on Age and Region in this Northern Pacific Marine Sentinel Piscivore

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