Mercury, DDT, and PCB in Harbour Seals ( Phoca vitulina ) from the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine

Samples of blubber, longissimus muscle, liver, and cerebrum from 12 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) were analyzed for DDT, dieldrin, PCBs, and total mercury content. The results were compared with those obtained previously for harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). DDT and PCB levels appear to be of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
Main Authors: Gaskin, D. E., Frank, R., Holdrinet, M., Ishida, K., Walton, C. J., Smith, M.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1973
Subjects:
General Medicine
Phoca vitulina
Phocoena phocoena
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f73-083
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f73-083
Description
Summary:Samples of blubber, longissimus muscle, liver, and cerebrum from 12 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) were analyzed for DDT, dieldrin, PCBs, and total mercury content. The results were compared with those obtained previously for harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). DDT and PCB levels appear to be of the same magnitude in the fat of seals from both southern New Brunswick and southern Maine, being lowest in a lactating female. Virtually no o,p′-DDT and relatively little dieldrin were found in seal fat, in contrast to porpoises, which contained significant amounts of both in the depot fat. Mercury levels were generally similar to those found for porpoises, but total liver Hg was considerably greater in adults from the New Brunswick islands than in those from the southern Maine ledges.

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