engleski

Cadmium and lead concentrations in the tissues of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded on the Croatian Adriatic coast

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in the livers, kidneys and muscles of 15 bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and two striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) dolphins, stranded dead along the Croatian Adriatic coast from 1990 to 1999. Cd concentrations (μg/g wet weight (w.w.)) ranged from 0.004 to 0.670 in muscle, from 0.004 to 1.842 in kidney and from 0.004 to 2.548 in liver tissues. Similarly, total Pb concentrations (μg/g w.w.) ranged from 0.01 to 0.46 in muscles, from 0.01 to 0.95 in kidneys and from 0.01 to 2.38 in livers. Cd and Pb concentrations revealed no signifi cant differences between adults (n = 10 ; >6 years) and juveniles (n = 7 ; <6 years). Mean Cd concentrations decreased in bottlenose dolphin tissues in the order: kidney>liver>muscle, which is a typical Cd distribution pattern. Signifi cant positive correlations of Cd concentrations were found between livers and kidneys (r = 0.63, P = 0.015), and livers and muscles (r = 0.74, P = 0.0008). Furthermore, a signifi cant positive correlation of Pb concentrations was determined between kidneys and muscles (r = 0.75, P = 0.001), opposite to the signifi cant negative correlation between liver and muscle Pb concentrations (r = -0.66, P = 0.004). Our study reports the Cd and Pb concentrations in tissues of the most abundant delphinid species in the Adriatic Sea, sampled over a 10-year period. These data are required for future studies on toxic metal accumulations and their dynamics in Adriatic dolphins and in the Adriatic environment.

cadmium; lead; heavy metal accumulation; Tursiops truncatus; Stenella coeruleoalba; Adriatic Sea

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