TY - JOUR
T1 - Possible link between Hg and Cd accumulation in the brain of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas)
AU - Gajdoeschova, Z
AU - Brownlow, A
AU - Cottin, NT
AU - Fernandes, M
AU - Read, FL
AU - Urgast, DS
AU - Raab, A
AU - Feldmann, J
AU - Krupp, EM
PY - 2015/12/31
Y1 - 2015/12/31
N2 - The bioaccumulation of metals was investigated by analysis of liver, kidney,muscle and brain tissue of a pod of 21
long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) of all ages stranded in Scotland, UK. The results are the first to report
cadmium (Cd) passage through the blood–brain barrier of pilot whales and provide a comprehensive study
of the long-term (up to 35 years) mammalian exposure to the environmental pollutants. Additionally, linear accumulation
of mercury (Hg) was observed in all studied tissues, whereas for Cd this was only observed in the
liver. Total Hg concentration above the upper neurochemical threshold was found in the sub-adult and adult
brains and methylmercury (MeHg) of 2.2 mg/kg was found in the brain of one individual. Inter-elemental analysis
showed significant positive correlations of Hg with selenium (Se) and Cd with Se in all studied tissues. Furthermore,
differences in the elemental concentrations in the liver and brain tissueswere found between juvenile,
sub-adult and adult groups. The highest concentrations of manganese, iron, zinc, Se, Hg and MeHgwere noted in
the livers,whereas Cd predominantly accumulated in the kidneys. High concentrations of Hgand Cd in the tissues
of pilot whales presented in this study reflect ever increasing toxic stress on marine mammals.
© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
AB - The bioaccumulation of metals was investigated by analysis of liver, kidney,muscle and brain tissue of a pod of 21
long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) of all ages stranded in Scotland, UK. The results are the first to report
cadmium (Cd) passage through the blood–brain barrier of pilot whales and provide a comprehensive study
of the long-term (up to 35 years) mammalian exposure to the environmental pollutants. Additionally, linear accumulation
of mercury (Hg) was observed in all studied tissues, whereas for Cd this was only observed in the
liver. Total Hg concentration above the upper neurochemical threshold was found in the sub-adult and adult
brains and methylmercury (MeHg) of 2.2 mg/kg was found in the brain of one individual. Inter-elemental analysis
showed significant positive correlations of Hg with selenium (Se) and Cd with Se in all studied tissues. Furthermore,
differences in the elemental concentrations in the liver and brain tissueswere found between juvenile,
sub-adult and adult groups. The highest concentrations of manganese, iron, zinc, Se, Hg and MeHgwere noted in
the livers,whereas Cd predominantly accumulated in the kidneys. High concentrations of Hgand Cd in the tissues
of pilot whales presented in this study reflect ever increasing toxic stress on marine mammals.
© 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KW - Bioaccumulation
KW - Blood–brain barrier
KW - Marine mammals
KW - Scotland
KW - Trace elements
U2 - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.082
DO - 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.082
M3 - Article
SN - 0048-9697
VL - 545
SP - 407
EP - 413
JO - Science of the Total Environment
JF - Science of the Total Environment
ER -
