Quantification of heavy metals in liver and heart tissue of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from Alaska

CHED 1122

Kady B Marino, kmarino072@hawks.rwu.edu, Stephen K. O'Shea, soshea@rwu.edu, and Dale F. Leavitt, dleavitt@rwu.edu. Department of Chemistry, Department of Biology, Roger Williams University, Box 7315, One Old Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI 02809
Harbor seal populations in Alaska have dramatically decreased since the 1980's. Anthropogenic pollution is believed to be a significant factor in this decline. Heavy metals have been found to be rapidly increasing in the environment from accidental release and leaching events. These pollutants have large bioaccumulation factors with deposition in higher trophic level species. This research quantified heavy metals in liver and heart tissue of harbor seals from Prince Williams Sound and Kodiak Island, Alaska. Heavy metal concentrations were determined on a DMA-80 Total Mercury Analyzer and ICP-MS (Cd, Pb, Se, As, and Sn). Heavy metal concentrations were statistically related with seal age, harvest location, sex, reproductive status, and comparative organ bioaccumulation. Metal levels showed higher accumulation in liver compared to the heart tissue.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Environmental Chemistry
2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008