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Mercury concentrations in wild mink (Mustela vison) and river otters (Lontra canadensis) collected from eastern and Atlantic Canada: relationship to age and parasitism. 2008

Katherine Klenavic, and Louise Champoux, and O'Brien Mike, and Pierre-Y Daoust, and R Douglas Evans, and Hayla E Evans
Environmental and Resource Studies, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON K9J 7B8, Canada.

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were measured in the fur, brain and liver of wild mink (Mustela vison) and river otters (Lontra canadensis) collected from eastern and Atlantic Canada. Total Hg concentrations in fur were strongly correlated with levels in the brain and liver. There was no difference in tissue concentrations between male and female mink; however, female otters had significantly higher fur, brain and liver Hg levels than males. Similarly, there was not a significant relationship between Hg concentration and age of mink, whereas in otters, Hg concentrations in all three tissues decreased significantly with age. In both species, only a very small percentage of the variability in Hg concentration was explained by age. After adjusting the data for site-to-site differences in Hg levels, Hg concentrations in the fur of mink infected by the parasite, Dioctophyma renale, were found to be significantly higher than Hg levels in uninfected mink.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D008297 Male Males
D008628 Mercury A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to MERCURY POISONING. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing.
D008767 Methylmercury Compounds Organic compounds in which mercury is attached to a methyl group. Methyl Mercury Compounds,Compounds, Methyl Mercury,Compounds, Methylmercury,Mercury Compounds, Methyl
D008907 Mink Carnivores of genera Mustela and Neovison of the family MUSTELIDAE. The European mink has white upper and lower lips while the American mink lacks white upper lip. American Mink,European Mink,Mustela lutreola,Mustela macrodon,Mustela vison,Neovison vison,Sea Mink,Mink, American,Mink, European,Mink, Sea,Minks,Minks, Sea,Sea Minks,vison, Neovison
D010041 Otters Fish-eating carnivores of the family MUSTELIDAE, found on both hemispheres. Aonyx,Clawless Otters,Giant Otters,Lontra,Lutra,Pteronura,Sea Otters,Enhydra lutris,Lontra canadensis,North American River Otter,Clawless Otter,Giant Otter,Otter,Otter, Clawless,Otter, Giant,Otter, Sea,Otters, Clawless,Otters, Giant,Otters, Sea,Sea Otter
D001923 Brain Chemistry Changes in the amounts of various chemicals (neurotransmitters, receptors, enzymes, and other metabolites) specific to the area of the central nervous system contained within the head. These are monitored over time, during sensory stimulation, or under different disease states. Chemistry, Brain,Brain Chemistries,Chemistries, Brain
D002170 Canada The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D004784 Environmental Monitoring The monitoring of the level of toxins, chemical pollutants, microbial contaminants, or other harmful substances in the environment (soil, air, and water), workplace, or in the bodies of people and animals present in that environment. Monitoring, Environmental,Environmental Surveillance,Surveillance, Environmental
D005260 Female Females

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