MERCURY AND SELENIUM IN WILD MINK (MUSTELA-VISION) FROM NORWAY

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (1-2) , 43-48
Abstract
Levels of Hg, methylmercury [MeHg] and Se were determined in liver samples from wild mink (M. vison) caught in the Norwegian counties of Rogaland (38 samples), Sogn og Fjordane (15 samples) and Hedmark (18 samples). The average Hg levels from these counties were 2.6, 3.1 and 2.1 .mu.g Hg/g wet wt, respectively. No significant differences in Hg levels were found. The MeHg levels were determined in 30 samples. A strong positive correlation between total Hg and MeHg (r = 0.91, P < 0.001) was found. The average MeHg level was 35% of total Hg. Wild mink had the ability to demethylate Hg. The Se levels were determined in 35 samples. A strong positive correlation between the levels of total Hg and Se (r = 0.87, P < 0.001) was found. There was no correlation between age or nutritional condition and Hg level. Mink was examined to see if it could be recommended as an indicator species for monitoring the local environment for Hg contamination. No definite answer to this question was found. The study did reveal that in all counties studied there were individuals considerably contaminated with Hg.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: