Biochemical normalization of trace metals in Arctocephalus australis

Baraj, Besnik; Niencheski, Luis Felipe; Fillmann, Gilberto; Hermanns, Luciano

Abstracts

Initially, the heart concentration data does not seem relevant for use as a bioindicator, mainly due to its low concentration level. After applying a normalizing procedure, the heart results were a better Hg bioindicator (preconcentration coefficient 43.1) than those of the kidney (preconcentration coefficient 8.6). Cadmium preconcentration coefficients were 128.1, 195.3 and 5.2 for liver, kidney and heart, respectively, demonstrating the high accumulative capacity especially for the liver and kidneys. Iron is proposed as a normalizing element for the definiton of the regional natural biochemical population of the metals. In general, positive correlation coefficients were found between Fe and other metals.

Heavy Metals; Arctocephalus australis; Normalization; Brazil

Arctocephalus australis foi usado como organismo indicador para concentrações de metal traço na costa do Rio Grande do Sul. Metais foram analisados em tecidos extraídos do coração, rins e fígado. Os baixos teores encontrados no coração inicialmente poderiam indicar que este órgão não traria resultados relevantes. Porém, mediante a aplicação de um procedimento de normalização, foram encontrados coeficientes de pré-concentração de 43.1 e de 8.6 para o coração e para os rins, respectivamente, indicando o tecido do coração como o melhor bioindicador para Hg. Para Cd, os coeficientes de pré-concentração foram 128.1, 195.3 e 5.2 para fígado, rins e coração, respectivamente, demonstrando alta capacidade acumulativa especialmente para fígado e rins. Foram encontradas altas correlações positivas entre o Fe e os metais Zn, Cu, Cd, Hg, Ag, Mn, Ni, Cr e Pb, indicando ser este elemento normalizante para definição da concentração bioquímica natural de metais na população de Arctocephalus australis no extremo sul do Brasil.

Metais Traço; Arctocephalus australis; Normalização; Brasil

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LORING, D. H.; RANTALA, R. T. Earth-Sci. Rev, v. 32, p. 235-283, 1992.
NIENCHESKI, L. F.; WINDOM, H.; SMITH, R. Distribution of particulate trace metal in Patos Lagoon Estuary (Brazil). Mar. Pollut. Bull, v. 28, n. 2, p. 96-102, 1994.
NIENCHESKI, L. F.; BAUMGARTEN, M. G. Distribution of particulate trace metals in surrounding waters of Rio Grande City (Brazil). Special Issue: State of Brazilian Aquatic Ecosystems. Aquat. Ecosystem Health Mgmt., v. 3, n. 4, p. 515 - 520, 2000.
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TANABE, S.; SUNG, J. K.; CHOI, D.Y., BABA, N., KIYOTA, M., YOSHIDA, K.; TATSUKAWA, R. Persistent organochlorine residues in northern fur seal from the Pacific coast of Japan since 1971. Environ. Pollut. v. 85, p. 305-314, 1994.
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Publication Dates

Publication in this collection
22 Apr 2009
Date of issue
Mar 2009

History

Accepted
15 Aug 2008
Reviewed
14 Apr 2008
Received
13 Nov 2007

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

[1] BECKER, P. R. Concentration of chlorinated hydrocarbons and heavy metals in Alaska Arctic marine mammals. Mar. Pollut. Bull., v. 40, n. 10, p. 819-829, 2000.

[2] EISLER, R. Cadmium hazards to fish, wildlife and invertebrates: a synoptic review. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv biol. Repts, v. 85, n. 1.2, 1985. 46 p.

[3] FAO, Mammals in the seas. Rome, 1979. Fisheries Series, n. 5, v. II.

[4] HONDA, F.; MIN, B. Y.; TATSUKAWA, R. Heavy metal distribution in organs and tissues of the eastern great white Egretta alba modesta. Bull. environ. Contamin Toxicol, v. 35, p. 781-789, 1985.

[5] LIMA, M.; PÁEZ, E. Growth and reproductive patterns in the South American fur seal. J. Mammal, v. 76 , n. 4, p. 1249 - 1255, 1995.

[6] LIMA, M.; PAEZ, E. Demography and population dynamics of South American fur seals. J. Mammal, v. 78, n. 3, p. 914-920, 1997.

[7] MAJLUF, P. Timing of births and juvenile mortality in the South American fur seal in Peru. J. Zool .v. 227, p. 367-383, 1992.

[8] MARCOVECCHIO, J.; MORENO, V.; BATISTA, R.; GERPE, M.; RODRIGUEZ, D. Tissue distribution of heavy metals in small cetaceans from southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Mar. Pollut. Bull , v. 21, n. 6, p. 299-304, 1990.

[9] M.E.S.L., I.A.E.A. Standard Operating Procedures Monaco, 1997.

[10] LORING, D. H.; RANTALA, R. T. Earth-Sci. Rev, v. 32, p. 235-283, 1992.

[11] NIENCHESKI, L. F.; WINDOM, H.; SMITH, R. Distribution of particulate trace metal in Patos Lagoon Estuary (Brazil). Mar. Pollut. Bull, v. 28, n. 2, p. 96-102, 1994.

[12] NIENCHESKI, L. F.; BAUMGARTEN, M. G. Distribution of particulate trace metals in surrounding waters of Rio Grande City (Brazil). Special Issue: State of Brazilian Aquatic Ecosystems. Aquat. Ecosystem Health Mgmt., v. 3, n. 4, p. 515 - 520, 2000.

[13] SEPULVEDA, M.; OCHOA-ACUNA, H.; SUNDLOF, F. S. Heavy metal concentrations in Juan Fernandez Fur Seals (artocephalus philippii) Mar. Pollut. Bull, v. 34, n. 8, p. 663-665, 1997.

[14] TANABE, S.; SUNG, J. K.; CHOI, D.Y., BABA, N., KIYOTA, M., YOSHIDA, K.; TATSUKAWA, R. Persistent organochlorine residues in northern fur seal from the Pacific coast of Japan since 1971. Environ. Pollut. v. 85, p. 305-314, 1994.

[15] UNEP. Manual for the geochemical analyses of marine sediments and suspended particulate matter. Reference Methods for Marine Pollution Studies n. 63., 1995. 74 p.