Heavy metal accumulations and their recent changes in southern minke whales Balaenoptera acutorostrata

摘要: The concentrations of heavy metals in the livers southern minke whales,B. acutorostrata, were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and their accumulation levels variations compared to food habit, biological parameters. concentration bioconcentration factors whale relatively high for Fe Cd low Hg, when seals small-toothed cetaceans from different waters. For most examined, log-normally distributed. Fe, Cd, Hg positively correlated with age, but a correlation was not observed other metals. While hepatic linearly increased up age about 20 years thereafter decreased year year. Such unusual trends are considered be due recent changes amount intake whale, as result structural disturbances Antarctic marine ecosystem commercial whaling. Also, varied between sexes, reproductive status matured female; lower females than males, Pb, Ni, Co progress gestation.