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.