Abstract
AbstractConcentrations of mercury in hair, brain, and liver tissues of river otter (Lutra canadensis) from several townships in Ontario, Canada, were determined. Levels of Hg in these tissues were highly intercorrelated but differed from tissue to tissue. The highest concentration was in hair, followed by liver and brain. The high correlation between Hg in hair and brain, as well as the ease and precision of Hg determinations on hair, demonstrate that Hg in hair holds considerable promise for monitoring the Hg in otters. Within the sampled otters, Hg varied with respect to age. The Hg concentrations increased over the first two to three years of age, remained stable over the next two to three years of age, and then declined in the remaining age‐groups. Mean age of otters in townships with high‐Hg concentrations was about half the mean age of otters in low‐Hg townships. In areas where mercury levels are high, otters may have reduced survivorship because of Hg‐induced stress on their health.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
