Contamination by mercury and cadmium in the cetacean products from Japanese market

Cetaceans hunted coastally in Japan include several species of odontocete (dolphins, porpoises and beaked whales), and fresh and frozen red meat and blubber, as well as boiled internal organs, such as liver, lung, kidney and small intestine, are still sold for human consumption. Furthermore, red meat and blubber products originating from mysticete minke whales caught in the Antarctic and Northern Pacific are also sold for human consumption. We surveyed mercury and cadmium contamination levels in boiled liver, lung, kidney and red meat products being marketed in Japanese retail outlets. We also analyzed the DNA of these products to obtain information concerning gender and species. Total mercury (T-Hg) and methyl mercury (M-Hg) contamination levels in all the cetacean products were markedly higher in odontocete species than in mysticete species, and slightly higher in females than in males. T-Hg contamination in the organs was seen in the following order: boiled liver > boiled KIDNEY=boiled lung > red meat. In particular, T-Hg concentrations in the boiled liver were high enough to cause acute intoxication even from a single ingestion: the mean ±SD (range) of T-Hg was 388 ± 543 (0.12–1980) μg/wet g. In contrast, although M-Hg contamination in the liver was not markedly higher than that in other organs, M-Hg contamination was in the following order: boiled liver > odontocete red meat > boiled kidney > boiled lung. The contamination levels of T-Hg and M-Hg in odontocete red meat, the most popular whale product, were 8.94 ± 13.3 and 5.44 ± 5.72 μg/wet g, respectively. These averages exceeded the provisional permitted levels of T-Hg (0.4 μg/wet g) and M-Hg (0.3 μg/wet g) in marine foods set by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare by 22 and 18 times, respectively, suggesting the possibility of chronic intoxication by T-Hg and M-Hg with frequent consumption of odontocete red meat. Cadmium contamination levels in boiled liver, kidney and lung were 8.59 ± 12.0, 10.4 ± 8.6 and 1.66 ± 1.27 (μg/wet g), respectively.     

Distribution of heavy metals in muscle, liver and kidney of northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) caught off Sanriku, Japan and from the Pribilof Islands, Alaska

The concentrations of iron, manganese, zinc, copper, cadmium, and mercury were determined in muscle, liver and kidney of 67 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) collected off Sanriku, Japan, and from the Pribilof Islands, Alaska. Almost all the elements except cadmium were highest in liver. Cadmium levels in kidney were higher than those in liver and muscle for all animals analyzed. Concentrations of mercury increased significantly with age in muscle, liver and kidney, as did iron levels in muscle and liver and cadmium levels in muscle, while manganese concentrations decreased with age in muscle and kidney. The kidney also showed decreased copper concentration with age. Cadmium concentrations of the northern fur seals in this study were higher than the other otariids, reflecting a predominantly squid diet. Concentrations of manganese and mercury were found to be higher in the fur seals caught off Sanriku than in animals from the Pribilof Islands, while those of zinc and cadmium were found to be lower. Variable concentrations of cadmium might have been attributed to those in seawaters. Discriminant analysis of heavy metal concentrations was used to identify habitat. Sixty-three of 67 animals (94%) were correctly classified using this technique. Heavy-metal concentrations in tissues may provide a useful method to elucidate the primary feeding grounds of fur seals.     

Non-destructive pollution exposure assessment by means of wood mice hair

Concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc were measured in hair, kidney, liver, lung and muscle tissue of wood mice captured along a pollution gradient. We found positive relationships between cadmium concentrations in hair and all internal tissues. Hair lead concentrations were positively correlated with lead contents in kidney and liver. Age had a significant effect on cadmium accumulation in all tissues and hair. Apart from a very weak relationship between zinc concentrations in hair and liver, no significant relation between copper or zinc content in hair and any of the internal organs was observed. In summary, our observations suggest that hair of wood mice can be used for monitoring exposure to non-essential metals like cadmium and lead, but not to homeostatically regulated metals such as copper or zinc.     

Cadmium and mercury accumulation in European hare (Lepus europaeus): age-dependent relationships in renal and hepatic tissue

A total of 63 European hares have been collected from five Serbian agricultural regions. The hares assayed were divided into four age groups (3–6 months, 12 months, 12–24 months, and 24–36 months) and investigated upon presence at cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in the kidney and liver. The positive significant correlation (Ps—Pearson’s coefficient) between Cd concentrations in the kidney and liver within age group the 3–6 months was found (Ps?=?0.81, p?p?p?>?0.05). Statistically significant differences were registered between Hg content in the liver of the hares aged 24–36 and 12 months (p?p?>?0.05). The strong statistically significant associations were registered between Cd and Hg content in the liver (Cd L/Hg L) in the age group 3–6 and 12–24 months (Cd L/Hg L, Ps?=?0.94; p?Ps?=?0.91; p?相似文献   

Histopathological alterations of white seabass,Lates calcarifer,in acute and subchronic cadmium exposure

Histopathological alterations to white seabass, Lates calcarifer aged 3 months in acute and subchronic cadmium exposure were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The 96-h LC50 values of cadmium to L. calcarifer was found to be 20.12 +/- 0.61 mg/l and the maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) was 7.79 mg/l. Fish were exposed to 10 and 0.8 mg/l of Cd (as CdCl,H2O) for 96 h and 90 days, respectively. The study showed that gill lamellae and kidney tubules were the primary target organs for the acute toxic effect of cadmium while in the subchronic exposure, the toxic effect to gills was less than that of kidney and liver. Gill alterations included edema of the epithelial cells with the breakdown of pillar cell system, aneurisms with some ruptures, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of epithelial and chloride cells. The liver showed blood congestion in sinusoids and hydropic swelling of hepatocytes, vacuolation and dark granule accumulation. Lipid droplets and glycogen content were observed in hepatocytes at the second and third month of subchronic exposure. The kidney showed hydropic swelling of tubular cell vacuolation and numerous dark granule accumulation in many tubules. Tubular degeneration and necrosis were seen in some areas.     

Heavy metals in two populations of North Atlantic fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus)

Concentrations of cadmium, copper and zinc have been analyzed in muscle, liver and kidney tissues of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) from two locations in the North Atlantic, Iceland and Spain. The concentrations of zinc in the muscle and that of cadmium in the liver and the kidney were significantly higher in fin whales from Iceland. Other differences between whales from the two areas concern the dynamics of cadmium in the organism. These findings support the hypothesis that fin whales from the two sites belong to different stocks and that cadmium in the organism can be used as a complementary tool in studies of population identity.     

Levels and interactions of heavy metals in sea birds from Svalbard and the Antarctic

Samples of liver and kidney from 92 seabirds of ten species collected on Spitsbergen and in the Antarctic, were analysed for their content of copper, zinc, cadmium, lead, mercury and selenium. Significantly higher levels of copper and zinc were observed in birds from Spitsbergen than in those from the Antarctic, while the opposite was true for selenium. The highest cadmium levels were found in fulmar Fulmarus glacialis and macaroni penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus. A possibility of kidney damage due to cadmium exists. The highest mercury levels were recorded in brown skua Catharacta lonnbergi collected at Bouvet?ya. Lead was not detected in any of the birds. Significant correlations were observed between levels of several of the metals studied, especially between cadminum and zinc and between mercury and selenium. However, for all birds, the highest correlation coefficients were observed when the molar concentrations of cadmium plus mercury, and selenium plus zinc, were used in the calculations. Thus several protective mechanisms may operate to diminish effects of heavy metal contaminants.     

Residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in cattle meat and organs slaughtered in selected towns in West Shoa Zone,Ethiopia

Residue levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in a total of 90 cattle samples comprising meat, liver and kidney collected from carcasses slaughtered in six towns in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia, (Ambo, Guder, Ginchi, Gedo, Holeta and Tikur Inchini), have been determined. The pesticides were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE) and quantification was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A good linearity (r² > 0.998) was found in the range 0.001–7.00 mg/kg for the samples studied. Most of the pesticides had recoveries in the range 81–99% and values of relative standard deviation (RSD) <7.2% for repeatability and reproducibility, showing good accuracy and precision of the method. The concentration level of the studied organochlorines followed the order: p, p’ dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) > endosulfan>o,p′-DDT >lindane>dieldrin>endrin>aldrin>chlorothanolin while the order of contamination in the analyzed organs was liver > kidney > meat. Heat treatment of the meat, kidney and liver samples (boiling for 90 min.) produced an overall reduction of 62.2%, 44.5%, 37.7%, 29%, 31%, 34.3% and 30.8% in lindane, o, p′-DDT, endosulfan, p, p′-DDT, chlorothanolin, aldrin, dieldrin, and endrin, respectively. Although the residual contents of the organochlorines detected in all the contaminated samples analyzed from the six cities were below the respective maximal permissible levels set by international organizations, samples from Holeta town were more contaminated and may necessitate effective monitoring as bioaccumulation of these residues may pose health problems in human beings.     

Tissue heavy metal concentrations of stranded California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in Southern California

Concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Mn, Mo and Zn) were determined in the hepatic and renal tissues of 80 stranded California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Significant age-dependant increases were observed in liver and kidney concentrations of cadmium and mercury, and renal zinc concentrations. Hepatic iron concentrations were significantly higher in females than males. Animals with suspected domoic acid associated pathological findings had significantly higher concentrations of liver and kidney cadmium; and significantly higher liver mercury concentrations when compared to animals classified with infectious disease or traumatic mortality. Significantly higher hepatic burdens of molybdenum and zinc were found in animals that died from infectious diseases. This is the largest study of tissue heavy metal concentrations in California sea lions to date. These data demonstrate how passive monitoring of stranded animals can provide insight into environmental impacts on marine mammals.     

Investigation of heavy metal accumulation in Polygonum thunbergii for phytoextraction

In this study, cadmium (II), lead (II), copper (II) and zinc (II) were determined in Polygonum thunbergii and soil from the Mankyung River watershed, Korea. Soil samples contained detectable lead (<17.5 g g(-1)), copper (<8.4 g g(-1)) and zinc (<24.5 g g(-1)), whereas cadmium was undetectable. Whole plants of P. thunbergii contained detectable lead (<320.8 g g(-1)), copper (<863.2 g g(-1)) and zinc (<2427.3 g g(-1)), whereas cadmium was detectable only in the stem (<7.4 g g(-1)) and root (<10.1 g g(-1)). Whole plant concentrations were very different for each metal, particularly in the case of zinc. The mean content of heavy metal in the whole plants increased in the order of cadmium (8.5 g g(-1))相似文献   

Effect of cadmium on ATPase activities in rats fed on iron-deficient and sufficient diets

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on different levels of cadmium mixed with purified diets containing iron or no iron for 8 weeks. The body weight gain, tissue weights, hemoglobin, hematocrit, liver and brain ATPase were measured at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after feeding. The hemoglobin and hematocrit values were the same in all rats fed on cadmium. The rats fed on iron-deficient diets mixed with cadmium showed a significant decrease in body weight gain. However, the rats receiving only the 100 ppm of cadmium in iron-sufficient diet showed a significant decrease in body weight gain. There were no significant changes in the weights of thymus, spleen, kidney, heart, brain and testes. However, the liver weights were decreased in the highest treatment of cadmium but the liver weight/body ratios were uneffected. Na+-K+ activated ATPase activity in brains of rats fed on cadmium were significantly decreased at 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The decrease was more pronounced in rats fed on iron-deficient diets. Oligomycin-sensitive (Mitochondrial) Mg2+ ATPase activity was also significantly decreased in liver and brain tissues of rats fed on cadmium. Oligomycin-insensitive Mg2+ ATPase activity, however, was not altered in any tissues tested. It appears that cadmium may be interfering with energy (ATP) production and utilization processes in rat brain and liver tissues.     

Cadmium accumulation and elimination in tissues of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus after sub-chronic cadmium exposure

Experiments were carried out to investigate the accumulation and elimination of cadmium (Cd) in tissues (gill, intestine, kidney, liver and muscle) of juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, exposed to sub-chronic concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100 microg l(-1)) of Cd. Cd exposure resulted in an increased Cd accumulation in tissues of flounder with exposure periods and concentration, and Cd accumulation in gill and liver increased linearly with the exposure time. At 20 days of Cd exposure, the order of Cd accumulation in organs was gill > intestine > liver > kidney > muscle and after 30 days of exposure, those were intestine > gill > liver > kidney > muscle. An inverse relationship was observed between the accumulation factor (AF) and the exposure level, but AF showed an increase with exposure time. During the depuration periods, Cd concentration in the gill, intestine and liver decreased immediately following the end of the exposure periods. No significant difference was found Cd in concentration in the kidney and muscle during depuration periods. The order of Cd elimination rate in organs were decreased intestine > liver > gill during depuration periods.     

Heavy metal accumulation and metallothionein concentration in the frog Rana ridibunda after exposure to chromium or a mixture of chromium and cadmium

The accumulation of two heavy metals (chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd)) in the liver, kidney and gut of Rana ridibunda exposed to Cr or to a mixture of Cr and Cd was investigated. The concentration of metallothioneins (MTs) in the same tissues was also studied. Both metals accumulated mainly in the kidney. Cr accumulation in the liver and gut was not affected by the presence of Cd. Furthermore, Cr concentration in the kidney was doubled when Cd was present. MT concentration did not increase after Cr treatment but it increased two- to six-fold over control values in mixture-exposed frogs, the highest value being observed in the gut. MTs in the gut could act as a barrier preventing ingested heavy metals from entering the blood stream. MT concentration correlated positively with Cd concentrations in both the liver and the gut of mixture-exposed animals.     

Accumulation of orally administered cadmium by the eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Eels were fed on gammarids (Amphipoda: Crustacea) containing high levels of cadmium for 30 days, then the cadmium distribution in the various organs of the fish was investigated. A retention value was calculated for liver + kidney and for whole-body.     

Mercury and cadmium in common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) in common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) collected in Lake Biwa, Japan and Tokyo, Japan, were investigated to elucidate the biological behaviors of these elements, and to assess exposure to these pollutants of wild, fish-eating birds. Hg and Cd concentrations were highest in the liver and kidneys, respectively. The lowest levels of both elements were observed in chicks. Hg concentrations in all tissues except brain increased significantly with growth from chicks to juveniles (p<0.05, U-test). Cd concentrations in the kidneys and liver also increased significantly during growth from juvenile to adult (p<0.005, U-test). When comparing hepatic Hg and Cd in adult birds between 10 samples from Lake Biwa and nine samples from Tokyo, the Cd concentrations in the Lake Biwa samples (1.4+/-0.37 microg/g dry wt) (mean+/-SD) were significantly higher than those from Tokyo (0.32+/-0.16 microg/g dry wt) (p<0.005, U-test), while no statistically significant difference was found in the Hg concentrations. Possible causes of these differences were discussed in relation to their prey.     

Long‐term mercury accumulation in the presence of cadmium and lead in oseochromis aureus (Steindachner)

Abstract

The effects of cadmium and lead on chronic mercury accumulation were investigated in O. aureus. After 140 days’ exposure the accumulation of mercury in the liver, brain, gill filaments, intestine, caudal muscle, spleen, trunk kidney and eye was analysed. The exposure concentrations were 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 mg/L for mercury alone. O. aureus was also exposed to mixtures of 0.05 mg/L mercury with lead (0.05 mg/L and 0.50 mg/L or cadmium (0.05 mg/L) and 0.10 mg/L mercury with 0.10 mg/L cadmium. In food fish, a knowledge of toxic metal accumulation patterns is of great importance because of their contribution to the human diet and, as fishmeal, to the diet of agricultural animals. The trunk kidney consistently accumulated higher concentrations of mercury than any of the other tissues investigated.     

Cadmium concentrations in tissues of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in Nunavik, Northern Québec

Willow and rock ptarmigan were obtained from Northern Québec. Willow ptarmigan were found to have mean cadmium concentrations of 179.7 microg/g (dw) in the kidneys and 25.8 microg/g (dw) in the liver; these levels were three times higher than those found in the rock ptarmigan. The cadmium levels in the ptarmigan were below the threshold above which adverse effects can be observed in birds. The difference between the two ptarmigan species in cadmium content is explained by the diet. A comparison of their diet showed that willow, which stores cadmium, is an important food resource for willow ptarmigan but not for rock ptarmigan. Because there is limited information available on the consumption of ptarmigan kidneys and liver by the Inuit, and the fact that this is a traditional way of life and provides nutritional benefits to the Inuit population, no consumption guidelines are proposed.     

Dioxin and furan residues in wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) following a large scale polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fire

A forest ecosystem was contaminated as a result of a fire involving 600 t of PVC. A wide range of 2,3,7,8-substituted dioxin and furan congeners were elevated (by up to 4-fold) on soil adjacent to the factory compared to a site 200 m from the factory perimeter. Livers of wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) caught on these areas were also analysed for dioxins and furans. Toxic equivalents (TEQs) were 9-fold higher in wood mice caught on the site 10 m from the factory perimeter compared with the site 200 m from the perimeter, with individual 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners being elevated by up to 30-fold. Wood mouse liver TEQs were found to be highly correlated with cadmium kidney concentrations, cadmium also being found at elevated concentrations at the accident site. There was also a significant positive correlation between wood mouse liver TEQs and relative liver weights (wet weights expressed as a percentage of total body weight). The results of this study are discussed in the wider context of dioxin contamination in the environment.     

Metal concentrations in seabirds of the New Zealand region

Concentrations of the heavy metals cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, mercury and, in some individuals, methyl mercury were determined in a range of tissues of 64 tropical, subtropical, subantarctic and antarctic seabird taxa mostly from the New Zealand region. Although apparently natural, levels of cadmium and mercury in some species greatly exceed those known to have toxic effects in some terrestrial birds. Copper and zinc levels exhibited less inter-species variation than the non-essential metals cadmium and mercury. Cadmium concentrations were highest in kidney tissues but uniformly low in feathers. Total mercury concentrations showed most inter-species variation. Mean methyl mercury levels in liver tissues of several large procellariiforms represented less than 5% of the corresponding mean total mercury level. Lead concentrations were generally low or below the limits of detection, but elevated levels were measured in some coastal or scavenging species. In a significant number of species, mean concentrations of liver cadmium and mercury and kidney cadmium were greater in adults than in young birds. The reverse was true for copper. Mean zinc levels in liver did not differ between adults and young. High levels of cadmium in some species seem likely to be due to diet, whereas high levels of mercury probably reflect more closely the moult intervals which constrain the ability of birds to eliminate methyl mercury.     

Trace elements in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the eastern Mediterranean Sea: overview and evaluation

Concentrations of trace elements (Hg, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Se) in different organs and tissues (liver, kidney, muscle tissue, spleen, heart, lung, and fat tissue) of loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta from eastern Mediterranean Sea were determined. The highest levels of mercury and cadmium were found in liver (Hg: 0.43 microg g(-1) wet weight; Cd: 3.36 microg g(-1) wet weight) and kidney (Hg: 0.16 microg g(-1) wet weight; Cd: 8.35 microg g(-1) wet weight). For lead the overall concentrations were low and often below the limit of detection. Copper and selenium tended to be higher in liver than in other tissues and organs, while for zinc the concentrations were quite homogenous in the different organs and tissues, except fat tissue (64.7 microg g(-1) wet weight) which showed a higher accumulation of this element. For iron the greatest concentrations were observed in liver (409 microg g(-1) wet weight) and spleen (221 microg g(-1) wet weight).