AN EXAMINATION OF SPATIAL VARIATION IN MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS IN OTTER (LUTRA-CANADENSIS) IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ONTARIO

Hair samples were collected from otter (Lutra canadensis) trapped in s everal parts of south-central Ontario, Canada. The concentrations of t otal Hg in hair were compared with methyl mercury concentrations in li ver tissues from the same individuals to determine if hair is a suitab le monitoring tissue. Hg in the two tissues was significantly correlat ed. Hair was used to monitor Hg in 51 individuals from four townships. The concentrations of total Hg in hair ranged from 4 to 20 mu g/g. No significant variation among the four sample regions existed. Generall y the highest concentrations were found in the youngest members of the population. Some possible explanations for the observations are prese nted. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.