[Mercury and selenium in wild mink (Mustela vision) from Norway]. 1984

G Norheim, and T Sivertsen, and E M Brevik, and A Frøslie

Levels of mercury, methylmercuri and selenium were determined in liver samples from wild mink (Mustela vision) caught in the Norwegian countries of Rogaland (38 samples), Sogn og Fjordane (15 samples) and Hedmark (18 samples). The average mercury levels from these counties were 2.6, 3.1 and 2.1 micrograms Hg/g wet weight, respectively. No significant differences in mercury levels were found. The methyl mercury levels (MeHg) were determined in 30 samples. A very strong positive correlation between total mercury (Hg) and methyl mercury (r = 0.91, P less than 0.001) was found. The average methyl mercury level was 35 per cent of total mercury. This indicates that wild mink has the ability to demethylate mercury. The selenium levels were determined in 35 samples. A strong positive correlation between the levels of total mercury and selenium (r = 0.87, P less than 0.001) was found. There was no correlation between age or nutritional condition and mercury level. In the present study mink was examined to see of it could be recommended as an indicator species for monitoring the local environment for mercury contamination. No definite answer to this question could be found. The study did reveal, however, that in all the counties studied there are individuals that are considerably contaminated with mercury.

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
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
D009664 Norway A country located in northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden. The capital is Oslo. Kingdom of Norway
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000824 Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena Nutritional physiology of animals. Animal Nutrition Physiology,Animal Nutritional Physiology Phenomena,Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomenon,Animal Nutritional Physiology,Animal Nutritional Physiology Phenomenon,Veterinary Nutritional Physiology,Nutrition Physiologies, Animal,Nutrition Physiology, Animal,Nutritional Physiology, Animal,Nutritional Physiology, Veterinary,Physiology, Animal Nutrition,Physiology, Animal Nutritional,Physiology, Veterinary Nutritional
D000828 Animal Population Groups Animals grouped according to ecological, morphological or genetic populations. Animal Population Group,Population Group, Animal,Population Groups, Animal
D000835 Animals, Wild Animals considered to be wild or feral or not adapted for domestic use. It does not include wild animals in zoos for which ANIMALS, ZOO is available. Animals, Nondomestic,Animals, Nondomesticated,Animals, Feral,Stray Animals,Animal, Feral,Animal, Nondomestic,Animal, Nondomesticated,Animal, Stray,Animal, Wild,Animals, Stray,Feral Animal,Feral Animals,Nondomestic Animal,Nondomestic Animals,Nondomesticated Animal,Nondomesticated Animals,Stray Animal,Wild Animal,Wild Animals
D012643 Selenium An element with the atomic symbol Se, atomic number 34, and atomic weight 78.97. It is an essential micronutrient for mammals and other animals but is toxic in large amounts. Selenium protects intracellular structures against oxidative damage. It is an essential component of GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE. Selenium-80,Selenium 80

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