歯クジラ類の水銀およびセレン含量

概要

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Several species of Odontoceti from the coastal waters of Japan were analysed for total mercury and selenium content in the muscle. The highest mercury content, 51.8 ppm, was found in Gill's Bottle-nosed Dolphin (Tursiops gilli). The lowest value, 0.16 ppm, was obtained in the foetus of Finless Black Porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides). The mean mercury contents were 4.63 ppm (0.95-9.43) in Blue White Dolphin (Stenella caeruleo-alba) and 4.16 ppm (3.01-5.18) in Pilot Whale (Glolicephala melaena). These values are rather high compared with those of marine mammals such as seals and whales. The mercury content in muscle increases linearly along with the age of animals. A high correlation was obtained between mercury and selenium content in the muscles of all species investigated. The molar ratio of mercury to selenium was about 1.5, indicating an excess of mercury in muscles.
日本水産學會の論文