Trace element concentrations in blood of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Turslops truncatus): Influence of age, sex and location

摘要

Marine mammals serve as good indicators for contaminants accumulation because of their long life span and their place within higher trophic levels (Bossart, 2006; Veinott and Sjare, 2006). A recent review of ecosystem responses to mercury contamination suggested that some marine mammals, such as ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) would be potentially good indicators of changing mercury loadings in the coastal environments (Wolfe et al., 2007). These species were selected as indicators based on a combination of criteria that include well-characterized life history; capacity for bioconcentrating and accumulating contaminants of concern; common species in the environment; geographically widespread; sensitive and hence indicative of change; easily collected and measured; adequate size to permit resampling of tissue; occurrence in both polluted and unpolluted areas; display correlation with environmental levels of contaminants; and have background data on the natural condition (Jenkins, 1981).