A review of metal accumulation and toxicity in wild mammals: I. Mercury

摘要: Release of Hg compounds into the environment from point sources has largely been curtailed due to known impacts on biological systems. Mercury continues be released environment, however, nonpoint such as combustion fossil fuels and smelting operations. While accumulation toxicity in aquatic biota, domestic animals, humans is well documented, relatively little understood about these processes wild terrestrial mammals. The purpose this paper review available literature levels mammals (excluding marine mammals). It clear that are biomagnified within food chains, where carnivores > omnivores herbivores. Among carnivorous species, generally highest fish-eating animals. There usually a high degree correlation between different animal tissues. age sex an appear influence observed levels, but field data conflicting for both factors. Tissue affected by location, with significant differences attributable local contamination natural background variability. Experimental studies have shown many mammal species sensitive intoxication, documented incidents poisoning rare. Such rarity may more function our inability observe demonstrate populations, rather than absence disease.