CONCENTRATIONS OF MERCURY IN OTTERS (LUTRA-LUTRA L) IN SCOTLAND IN RELATION TO RAINFALL

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) were measured in 112 livers of otters f rom various areas in Scotland during 1986-1992. Mercury concentration varied from 0.3-44.7 ppm (dry). There was a significant positive cop r elation between Hg in otters and annual rainfall, consistent with an a tmospheric origin of mercury pollution. Mercury concentration was high er in animals with lower body condition. Concentrations were shown to increase with the age of the animal, but not everywhere, and the corre lation was weak. If appeared unlikely that during the study period ott er numbers were affected by mercury. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.