Evaluating Hair as a Predictor of Blood Mercury: The Influence of Ontogenetic Phase and Life History in Pinnipeds.

摘要: Mercury (Hg) biomonitoring of pinnipeds increasingly utilizes nonlethally collected tissues such as hair and blood. The relationship between total Hg concentrations ([THg]) in these is not well understood for marine mammals, but it can be important interpretation tissue with respect to ecotoxicology biomonitoring. We examined [THg] blood multiple age classes four pinniped species. For each species, we used paired samples quantify the ability predict at time sampling influence varying ontogenetic phases life history sampled animals. Overall, found that was affected by factors including class, weaning status, growth, difference growth sample collection. Hair moderately strongly predictive current adult female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), California (Zalophus californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), whereas poorly or (different times year) northern elephant (Mirounga angustirostris). Within except very young pups, a weaker predictor prereproductive animals than adults likely due variability foraging behavior, transitions phases. Our results indicate variable phase should considered when interpreting tissues.