The Degree of Methylation and Organ Distribution of Mercury in Some Birds of Prey in Norway

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Abstract
The concentrations of total mercury and methyl mercury were determined in organs from several species of birds of prey [golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), white-tailed eagles (Haliacetus albicilla), ospreys (Pandion haliacetus), goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), sparrow hawk (A. nisus), eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and tawny owls (Strix aluco)]. The organ distributions were calculated for each species. For total and non-methyl mercury, significant differences were found between species. For methyl mercury no such differences were found. The liver:kidney ratios in white-tailed eagle were 1:2.4 and 1:0.9 for total and methyl mercury, respectively. The corresponding figures for the eagle owl were 1:0.7 and 1:0.8. The distribution pattern and the degree of methylation were mainly dependent on the Hg levels, and there seemed to be an inverse relationship between the total Hg levels and the percentage in the organs, especially in the kidney. There were good correlations between the methyl mercury concentrations in the liver, kidney and muscle. The demethylation of methyl mercury seems to be a significant detoxication route for methyl mercury in birds of prey.