Concentrations of trace metals in the tissues of long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) in the East Sea, Korea

Abstract

Concentrations of trace metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Se, and Zn) were determined in the livers, kidneys, muscles, intestines, and hearts of twelve long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) from the East Sea, Korea, in 2006. All specimens were entangled in various commercial fishing nets or traps and as such are recorded as by-catch. The concentrations of Cu, Hg, Se, and Zn were much higher in the liver than in the kidney, muscle, intestine, or heart. Trace metals that accumulated in the liver were, in descending order: Zn > Hg > Cd > Se > Cu > As > Cr > Pb. In contrast, the concentration of Cd was higher in the kidney than in any other organs. The trace metals accumulated in the kidney were, in descending order: Cd > Zn > Cu > Hg > Se > As > Pb > Cr. No significant differences were found in the concentrations of As, Cr, or Pb in all the tissues examined.