TRACE-METALS IN ANTARCTIC FUR-SEAL (ARCTOCEPHALUS-GAZELLA) LIVERS FROM BIRD ISLAND, SOUTH GEORGIA

Samples of liver from 11 female Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gaz ella) from Bird Island, South Georgia were analysed for 16 trace eleme nts (Mg, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, 1, Ba, La, Ce, Hg, and Pb ). The mean concentration for each element (mg kg-1 dry wt) was Mg, 72 7; Cr, 1; Cu, 263; Zn, 384; Rb, 7; Sr, 0.3; Mo, 1; Cd, 350; Hg, 215; P b, 0.1. Levels of Co, Sn, 1, Ba, La, and Ce were below the limits of d etection. For the majority of elements, the measured concentrations we re considerably higher than concentrations previously reported in seal s. Significant Spearman correlation coefficients were obtained between Cd and Hg, Cd and Zn, Hg and Zn, Sr and Mo, age and Cd, and age and H g. The toxicological significance of these concentrations is discussed .