Tissue distribution of heavy metals in small cetaceans from the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean

Tissue distribution of heavy metals (total mercury, cadmium, zinc and copper) were studied in specimens of Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops gephyreus), Franciscana Dolphin ( Pontoporia blainvillei) and Pigmy Sperm Whale ( Kogia breviceps) stranded in SW Atlantic beaches in Argentina. Heavy metal determ...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 1990, Vol.21 (6), p.299-304
Main Authors: Marcovecchio, Jorge E., Moreno, Víctor J., Bastida, Ricardo O., Gerpe, Marcela S., Rodríguez, Diego H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Cetacea
Exact sciences and technology
Kogia breviceps
Marine
Natural water pollution
Pollution
Pontoporia blainvillei
Seawaters, estuaries
Tursiops gephyreus
Water treatment and pollution
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Tissue distribution of heavy metals (total mercury, cadmium, zinc and copper) were studied in specimens of Bottlenose Dolphin ( Tursiops gephyreus), Franciscana Dolphin ( Pontoporia blainvillei) and Pigmy Sperm Whale ( Kogia breviceps) stranded in SW Atlantic beaches in Argentina. Heavy metal determinations were carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Liver is the most important Hg, Zn, and Cu accumulator organ in the studied specimens, while kidney is so for Cd. The importance of the trophic habits and ecological characteristics of each species related to corresponding heavy metal concentrations was emphasized, as well as the animal age vs. pollutant contents relationship. Based on these results the suitability of using these small cetaceans species as ‘heavy metals bioindicators’ in the considered environment was discussed.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/0025-326X(90)90595-Y