Lead in Spotted Wolffish, Anarhichas minor , Near a Zinc–Lead Mine in Greenland

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Bollingberg, H. J., Johansen, P.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1979
• Subjects: General Medicine; Arctic; Greenland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f79-144; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f79-144

Lead concentrations in spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) collected from the vicinity of a sphalerite–galena mine and an ore concentration plant in West Greenland have been measured through a period of 2 yr before and 4 yr after mining operations started. Lead levels increased significantly since mining started, and accumulation takes place in liver and kidney, not in muscle tissue. The increased lead levels are not a risk to public health. Small fish have higher lead concentrations than larger ones. Key words: wolffish, arctic, liver, muscle, kidney, lead, zinc–lead mining