TRACE-ELEMENT ACCUMULATION IN BAIKAL SEAL (PHOCA-SIBIRICA) FROM THE LAKE BAIKAL

Trace element concentrations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co and Hg) w ere determined in 60 Baikal seals and in fishes collected from Lake Ba ikal in 1992. Low levels of Hg and Cd were found in Baikal seals in co mparison with those of marine mammals and it was due to their low conc entrations in dietary fish. These results suggest that pollution by Hg and Cd was low in Lake Baikal and these toxic elements were unlikely to be the causative factors for mass mortality of Baikal seal in 1987- 1988. Significant correlation of Hg concentration between hair and int ernal tissues suggested the use of hair for Hg monitoring in pinnipeds . Among essential elements, higher Fe and lower Cu levels were specifi cally found in the liver of Baikal seal, The noticeable accumulation o f essential elements might be related to the unique and specific envir onment of Lake Baikal. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.