Trace element concentrations in the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) in central and northern California

To determine concentrations of trace elements (THg, MeHg, Se, and Pb) in tissues of the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii), live (n=186) and dead seals (n=53) were sampled throughout central and northern California from March 2003 to January 2005. There were significant differences in THg concentrations in blood and hair based on age (p<0.001). Adult male harbor seals had greater THg concentrations in their hair than adult female harbor seals (p<0.003). THg concentrations in liver increased linearly with age and delta15N (p<0.001); whereas, MeHg concentrations in liver increased exponentially until approximately 5 years of age with an asymptote at 1.3 microg/g wet weight. MeHg expressed as a percentage of THg (%MeHg) was best described by a decay function (r2=0.796, p<0.001), decreasing to a minimum at 4 years of age. Hepatic Se increased with age and was in equimolar ratios with THg in adults; whereas, molar ratio of Se:THg in pups deviated from a 1:1 ratio. Significant differences among study locations in THg concentrations in blood and hair were not detected. Assessing the possible effect of sampling location on Hg concentrations, however, was confounded and limited by lack of equal sample sizes for basic age and sex cohorts, a common dilemma in pinniped research.     

Accumulation and lactational transfer of PCBs and pesticides in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from Svalbard, Norway

The harbor seal population on Svalbard, the northernmost breeding site for this species, appears to have a truncated age distribution with older animals being largely absent. PCBs and pesticides were measured in harbor seal males, females, milk and pups from Svalbard to explore whether contaminant exposure or accumulation is a possible cause of premature death for these animals. The levels and patterns of these contaminants were assessed. In addition, transfer of these compounds from females to their pups during lactation was assessed. Both PCB and pesticide levels were low compared to more southern harbor seal populations. Animals from Svalbard contained 5-10 times lower contaminant levels, compared to seals from the Norwegian mainland, and 30 times lower concentrations than those of harbor seals from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in eastern Canada. Ringed seals from Svalbard have contaminant levels that are comparable to the harbor seals, probably because the diet, as well as the metabolic capacity, of the two species is similar at this location. The findings of this study indicate that the early mortality observed for harbor seals on Svalbard, is not likely to be due to contaminant exposure. Female harbor seals transfer a modified contaminant mixture to their pups compared to that found within their own tissues; compounds with higher log Kow, such as some penta-chlorinated PCBs, were selectively transferred into milk. As a result, the contaminant pattern between males and females differed, with penta-chlorinated PCBs more abundant in males than in females. In addition, pups receive a relatively high amount of the less lipophylic compounds and a low amount of the more lipophylic compounds. The similar contaminant pattern in milk and pups suggested that they are probably unable to metabolize contaminants and consequently, accumulate all ingested chemicals.     

Disease conditions affecting common seals (Phoca vitulina) around the Scottish mainland, September-November 1988.

Common seal populations around the Scottish coast were less severly devastated by phocine distemper than those on the Continent. Nevertheless, over a 4-month period, 59 common seals were examined postmortem. The macroscopic and histopathological lesions are described. Forty-two per cent of these seals were considered to be suffering from phocine distemper. Serology on 29 of the 59 seals was undertaken and the results are discussed in relation to the histopathological findings. Bordetella bronchiseptica proved to be an important secondary invader in phocine distemper virus infected seals. Verminous pneumonia was shown to be a frequent problem, particularly in juveniles.     

Organochlorine levels in common seals (Phoca vitulina) which were victims and survivors of the 1988 phocine distemper epizootic.

We compared concentrations of organochlorines in the blubber of common seals (Phoca vitulina) found dead during the 1988 phocine distemper epizootic with levels in animals which survived it. There were highly significant differences between the live and dead animals, and between sample sites. These were not fully accounted for by seasonal and condition-related changes in blubber thickness.     

Organochlorines in Greenland ringed seals (Phoca hispida)

Twenty-five ringed seals (Phoca hispida) were sampled in 1994 at each of four areas in Greenland, three on the west coast and one on the east coast. Seal blubber samples were analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, IUPAC Nos. 28, 31, 52, 101, 105, 118, 138, 153, 156 and 180), DDTs (p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT), hexachlorocyclohexanes (alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and trans-nonachlor. A number of the seals (n = 56) were also analysed for toxaphene (total toxaphene and single congeners: CHB Nos. 26, 32, 50 and 62). The overall geometric means (and ranges) found in seals were in microgram kg-1 wet wt. for sigma PCBs: 452 (85-4200), sigma DDTs: 607 (97-6040), sigma HCHs: 123 (51-382), HCB: 13 (3-27), trans-nonachlor: 83 (21-1236) and total toxaphene: 263 (71-950). The geometric means for HCB, trans-nonachlor, toxaphenes and the sums of PCBs and DDTs were higher for the east coast samples than for those from the west coast, and a decreasing trend in concentrations followed the east Greenland current. No geographical trend was apparent for HCHs. Differences in concentrations between females and males were only significant for HCB and HCH within certain age classes and sampling areas. A tendency for concentrations to increase with age was observed, but was not statistically significant. Principal component analyses for PCB congeners revealed that the proportion of higher chlorinated PCBs (Cl atoms > or = 6) decreased with decreasing concentrations of PCBs found for the four sampling areas. No differences between the higher and lower chlorinated PCBs were seen in females and males, but a higher proportion of CB-105 and CB-118 compared to CB-52 and CB-101 was seen in male seals compared to female seals.     

Cadmium toxicity to ringed seals (Phoca hispida): an epidemiological study of possible cadmium-induced nephropathy and osteodystrophy in ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from Qaanaaq in Northwest Greenland

The Greenland marine food chains contain high levels of cadmium, mercury and selenium. Concentrations of cadmium in the kidney of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from the municipalities of Qaanaaq and Upernavik (Northwest Greenland) are among the highest recorded in the Arctic. The purpose of the study was to determine whether cadmium-induced damage in the kidneys and the skeletal system could be detected among 100 ringed seals from Northwest Greenland. The cadmium concentrations in the kidney cortex ranged from 0 to 248 microg/g wet weight (mean=44.5, N=100) in the 99 kidneys examined. Experience from cadmium-poisoned humans and laboratory mammals indicates that concentrations above 50-200 microg/g wet wt. may induce histopathological changes. Overall, 31 of the ringed seals had cadmium concentrations in the kidney cortex above 50 microg/g wet wt., 11 had concentrations above 100 and one had a concentration above 200 microg/g wet wt. Obvious histopathological changes (categorised mainly as glomerulonephritis) were found in 10 of the seals; however, none of these changes could be attributed to cadmium-induced renal damage (mainly tubulopathy) as described for other species. Damage to the proximal kidney tubules is known to induce demineralisation of the skeletal system (Fanconi's syndrome). Therefore, the three lowest lumbar vertebrae were scanned in 91 seals to measure the content of calcium. The 10 cases of nephropathy could neither be linked to the degree of mineralisation of the skeleton nor to the cadmium concentrations. Furthermore, the degree of mineralisation of the skeleton was not correlated with the cadmium concentration, age or sex. It can therefore be concluded that despite high levels of cadmium, none of the ringed seals showed any signs of cadmium-induced nephropathy or osteodystrophy. This might be explained by the composition of the ringed seals diet, which contains high levels of vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium and protein. These elements are all likely to counteract cadmium-induced damage. It is speculated that ringed seal are not particularly vulnerable to osteodystrophy, due to their continuous growth (bone mineralisation) throughout life and the oestrogen hormonal activity of females throughout life.     

Trace element concentrations in skin of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the southeast Atlantic coast

Concentrations of trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, U, V, Zn) and total mercury (THg) were determined in skin samples collected from free-ranging bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations. Dolphins were captured in the estuarine waters of Charleston (CHS), South Carolina (n=74) and the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida (n=75) during 2003, 2004 and 2005. A subset of the skin tissue samples were used to determine methylmercury (MeHg) levels in CHS (n=17) and IRL (n=8) bottlenose dolphins. Distributions of trace element concentrations by age (adult vs. juvenile), gender (male vs. female) and study area (CHS vs. IRL) were examined. In general, higher elemental skin concentrations were found in CHS adult males than those of IRL adult males, except for THg and MeHg. For CHS dolphins, adult females showed significantly higher THg levels than juvenile females while higher Mn levels were found in juvenile females. For IRL dolphins, adult males showed significantly higher As concentrations than that in juvenile males and females while higher Co and V levels were found in juvenile males than adult males. Of all elements measured in this study, significantly higher levels of Fe, Se and Zn concentrations in skin tissue of both dolphin populations were similar to other studies reported previously. Percentage of MeHg/THg in skin tissue of CHS and IRL dolphin was about 72% and 73%, respectively. Dietary levels of trace elements may play an important role in contributing to concentration differences for As, Co, Mn, Sb, Se, THg and Tl between CHS and IRL dolphins. Total Hg concentrations were significantly correlated with the age of CHS dolphins, while an inverse relationship was detected for Cu, Mn, Pb, U and Zn. The only significant correlation found between trace element concentration and IRL dolphins' age was Mn. Geographic differences in several trace element concentrations (As, Co, Mn, Sb, Se, THg and Tl) in skin tissue may be potentially useful to discriminate between dolphin populations and is a possibility that warrants further investigation.     

Trace element concentrations in higher fungi

The concentrations of ten trace elements, As, Br, Cd, Cu, Hg, I, Mn, Se, Zn and V, have been determined in up to 27 species of higher fungi from several sites in Slovenia, Yugoslavia. Analyses were based on destructive neutron activation techniques. Data are presented and compared with the concentrations found in soils. Previously values were non-existent or scanty for these elements, so that the data represent typical levels for basidiomycetes. In addition to confirming high levels of mercury in many species, the survey also found that cadmium is accumulated to a surprising extent by most fungi, the average value being 5 ppm. Among other accumulations found was bromine by the genus Amanita, and selenium by the edible Boletus. Correlation analysis between all pairs of trace elements gave values for r of from 0.75 to 0.43 for 7 pairs (Cu and Hg, 0.75; Se and As, 0.69). As well as these features of biochemical interest, the values found and the pattern of accumulation suggest potential uses of fungi in environmental studies.     

Trace element levels in harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) from the Greenland Sea. A multivariate approach

Concentrations of the essential trace elements, iron, copper, zinc and selenium and the non-essential elements arsenic, cadmium, total mercury and lead, were measured in the meat, liver and kidney of two species of seals, harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandicus) and hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) collected in the Greenland Sea. The spread among the individual seals was considerable. However, multivariate statistics simplified the evaluation of the data. The muscle tissue contained lower levels of the elements than kidney and liver. The kidney and liver tissue were also different, in particular with higher levels of iron in the liver and higher levels of cadmium in the kidney. Species differences were clear in both liver and kidney tissue, with higher levels of most of the elements in the hooded seals, while the harp seals had a higher burden of arsenic in the two tissues. Male hooded seals had higher levels of mercury and selenium than the females in all tissues. For harp seal there was a slight difference between the sexes in the muscle tissue, while no difference was observed in the liver and kidney tissues. The juvenile seals generally had lower levels of the elements in their tissues than the adults, although copper and zinc were higher in the muscles and livers of the juveniles as was iron in the muscles. No correlation between age and trace element levels in the tissues of the adult seals was observed.     

Trace element concentrations in hair of healthy Chinese centenarians

Trace element concentrations, as indicators of micronutrient status of healthy centenarians, have not been widely analyzed. This study aimed to assess trace element concentrations in the hair of healthy centenarians. The effects of gender and age on element concentrations were also investigated. Eleven trace elements (Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Pb, Se, Sr and Zn) in the scalp hair of 107 healthy Chinese centenarians were examined. The overall reference values (RVs) in mg/kg for the hair concentrations of trace elements in centenarians were as follows: Al, 14.95; Ba, 2.68; Cd, 0.06; Cr, 0.59; Cu, 6.21); Fe, 19.37; Mo, 0.50; Pb, 4.64; Se, 0.37; Sr, 4.84; and Zn, 154.37. Data analysis found that only Cu and Zn concentrations show a normal distribution, and there is no significant difference between males and females in any element except Zn. However, the levels of Al, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mo, Pb decrease and the levels of Ba, Cu, Se, Sr, Zn increase with age in the centenarian cohort. Results also revealed that sufficient Zn and Se concentrations as well as low exposure to heavy metals pollution contribute to the longevity of centenarians. The results imply the possibility of manipulating trace element concentrations, especially Zn and Se concentrations in tissues, as a means for therapeutic modality in geriatric disease.     

Trace element levels in whole blood samples from residents of the city Badajoz, Spain.

Copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc were determined by anodic stripping voltammetry after sample digestion and potentiometric stripping analysis was used for Pb and Cd determination in original samples. Selenium was determined by cathodic stripping voltammetry or hydride generation AAS. Element levels found in the whole blood sample in a group of 82 people are for Cd: 0.98 +/- 0.94 ng/ml; for Pb: 46.7 +/- 28.6 ng/ml; for Cu: 1.07 +/- 0.12 micrograms/ml; for Zn: 6.95 +/- 1.08 micrograms/ml, and for Se: 116 +/- 25 ng/ml. Analytical data have been correlated to age, sex, smokers or non-smokers, drinking and food habits.     

Trace element levels in whole blood of riparian villagers of the Brazilian Amazon

Monitoring the nutritional status of essential elements is of critical importance in human health. However, trace element concentrations in biological fluids are affected by environmental and physiological parameters, and therefore considerable variations can occur between specific population subgroups. Brazil is a large country with much food diversity. Moreover, dietary habits differ from north to south. As an example, the traditional populations of the Brazilian Amazon basin are heavily dependent on fish, fruits, vegetables and manioc for their daily sustenance. However, very few studies have examined to what extent these diets reflect adequate nutritional status for essential elements. Then, in the present study we have evaluated the levels of some trace elements (Cu, Co, Zn Sr, and Rb) in the whole blood of a riparian Brazilian Amazonian population and estimated the influence of age and gender on levels and inter-element interactions in the same population. For this, 253 subjects, aged 15 to 87, from 13 communities situated on the banks of the Tapajós, one of the major tributaries of the Amazon, were randomly selected. The values found for cobalt, copper and strontium in whole blood are in the same range as in other populations. On the other hand, the levels of rubidium and zinc may be considered higher. Moreover, gender was shown to influence Zn and Cu levels while age influenced the concentrations of Sr and Rb in men and Cu in women. Given the scarcity of studies examining nutritional status in traditional communities of the Amazon, our study is the first to provide relevant insight into trace element values in this region and inter-element interactions. This paper is also of particular importance for future studies looking at the possible protective effects of traditional Amazon riparian diets against mercury intake from fish consumption.     

Trace element and Sigma DDT concentrations in horticultural soils from the Tasman, Waikato and Auckland regions of New Zealand

The long-term routine use of agrichemicals can result in elevated levels of trace elements and persistent organic pollutants in soils. Trace element concentrations and SigmaDDT levels were measured in soil (0-7.5 cm) samples collected from horticultural and grazing properties in 3 regions of New Zealand (Auckland, Tasman and Waikato). Elevated levels of arsenic (<2 to 58 mg kg(-1)), cadmium (<0.1 to 1.5 mg kg(-1)), copper (5 to 523 mg kg(-1)), lead (5 to 243 mg kg(-1)) and SigmaDDT (<0.03 to 34.5 mg kg(-1)) were detected in soils from all 3 regions. With the exception of cadmium and zinc, significantly higher levels of contaminants were generally detected in horticultural soils than in grazing soils. Our results have implications for the on-going use of agrichemicals as concentrations of cadmium, copper, tin and zinc in some samples exceeded ecotoxicity based soil criteria. The p,p'-DDE:DDT ratios indicate that the degradation of DDT in NZ horticultural soils may be inhibited by the co-contamination with trace elements.     

The serological response of the common seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) to phocine distemper virus as measured by a canine distemper virus neutralisation test.

The application of a canine distemper virus (CDV) neutralisation test revealed that antibody titres of up to 11,620 were present in the sera of common seals during the epizootic of phocine distemper in British waters. However, during the later stages of the epizootic and afterwards, a surprisingly high proportion of animals were still seronegative. Titres of from 90 to 183 were common in diseased animals and were probably indicative of partial immunosuppression. A few animals with proven phocine distemper had titres of less than 64, this being evidence of a more profound immunosuppression. Recovered animals tended to have moderate to high titres and in some cases these persisted for at least 6.5 months. By contrast, the administration of an inactivated CDV vaccine produced antibody which declined rapidly to very low levels within the same period. Infection also occurred in grey seals in 1988 but without severe mortality. Antibody titres in this species nearly always lay in the range 128-734 and persisted at or around this level for at least 12 months. In both common and grey seals, antibody was transferred by suckling from mother to pup but absorption by the pup seemed to take place more slowly than in domestic mammals.     

Tissue concentrations of organochlorine compounds in common seals from the coast of Northern Ireland.

An epizootic of morbillivirus infection killed several hundred common seals (Phoca vitulina) along the coast of Northern Ireland in 1988. Many dead and moribund seals were submitted to the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, Veterinary Research Laboratories for necropsy. Samples of blubber, liver and kidney were collected from these animals (n = 55) for analysis for a wide range of organochlorine pesticides and also total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The organochlorines found in highest concentrations in blubber were PCBs which were detected in all samples (mean, 26 micrograms g-1 wet wt). sigma DDT (mean, 2.63 micrograms g-1 wet wt) and chlordane (mean, 0.22 micrograms g-1 wet wt) were also present in all samples. Heptachlor including heptachlor epoxide (mean, 0.13 micrograms g-1 wet wt) was present in over 93% of samples. Seventy-four percent of samples contained alpha HCH (mean, 0.035 micrograms g-1 wet wt), 50% contained beta HCH (mean, 0.026 micrograms g-1 wet wt) while gamma HCH (mean, 0.012 micrograms g-1 wet wt) was detected in 46% of samples. The organochlorine concentrations found in this study are at the lower end of the range previously reported for European common seals.     

Relationship between trace element concentrations in human blood and atmospheric aerosol

Trace element concentrations in human blood from the U.K., measured by Hamilton et al., are found to be correlated to those of atmospheric aerosol from the U.K., or to an aerosol composition averaged over the globe. The correlation to aerosol is much stronger than to crustal rock or sea water. Elemental enrichment factors for blood are all equal to or greater than those for aerosol. Two possible reasons for the correlation are advanced: aerosol is probably a major source of the trace elements which enter the food chain, and aerosol samples the earth's surface where the food chain originates. The present finding suggests that aerosol plays a major role in the global cycling of the trace elements which enter the blood, with important implications for human health.     

Organohalogen concentrations in blood and adipose tissue of Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears

We analyzed 151 organohalogen chemicals (OHCs) in whole blood and subcutaneous fat of 57 polar bears sampled along the Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast in spring, 2003. All major organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs and their congeners were assessed. Concentrations of most OHCs continue to be lower among Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears than reported for other populations. Additionally, toxaphenes and related compounds were assessed in adipose tissue, and 8 perflourinated compounds (PFCs) were examined in blood. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) concentrations exceeded those of any other contaminant measured in blood. SigmaChlordane concentrations were higher in females, and both SigmaPCBs and SigmaChlordane concentrations in adipose tissue decreased significantly with age. The rank order of OHC mean concentrations; SigmaPCB>Sigma10PCB>PCB153>SigmaChlordane>Oxychlordane>PCB180>SigmaHCH>beta-HCH>SigmaDDT>p,p-DDE>SigmaPBDE>HCB>Toxaphene was similar for compounds above detection limits in both fat and blood. Although correlation between OHC concentrations in blood and adipose tissue was examined, the predictability of concentrations in one matrix for the other was limited.     

Bioaccumulation of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides in seals,fishes and invertebrates from the White Sea,Russia

Persistent organochlorines (OC) contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, Dichlorophenyltrichloroethane (DDT)- and chlordane (CHL) related compounds, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH) isomers and chlorobenzenes (CBz) were determined in blubber of harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), ringed seals (Phoca hispida) and bearded seals (Eringnathus barbatus) as well as in fishes and invertebrates from the White Sea, in northwest Russia. Highest summation operator PCB and summation operator DDT concentrations were found in samples from two male bearded seals (means of 4150 ng/g lw and 3950 ng/g lw, respectively). Female harp seals had mean summation operator PCB and summation operator DDT concentrations of 1070+/-504 ng/g lw and 619+/-328 ng/g lw, respectively. Male and female adult ringed seals had similar mean summation operator PCB concentrations as harp seals (955+/-385 ng/g lw and 999+/-304 ng/g lw, respectively). summation operator CHL concentrations ranged from 63+/-29 ng/g lw in blubber of female adult ringed seals, to 322+/-156 ng/g lw in adult harp seals and averaged 465 ng/g lw in bearded seals. HCH isomers, mirex and chlorobenzenes were detected in all seal samples but were present at lower levels than summation operator CHL, summation operator DDT and summation operator PCB. Concentrations of summation operator CHL, summation operator DDT and summation operator PCB in ringed seals from the White Sea were within the range reported for the Barents Sea but lower than in ringed seals from the Kara Sea. Temporal trends were investigated by comparing concentrations of OCs in blubber of harp seal pups collected in 1992 with pups of the same age collected in 1998. The declines over the 6 year period ranged from approximately 33% for summation operator DDT to 60% for summation operator PCB. These declines are consistent with reports of declining concentrations summation operator DDT in seawater from the White Sea and inflowing rivers in the 1980's and early 1990s. The major OC contaminants in fishes from the White Sea were DDT-related compounds and PCBs. Navaga (Eleginus navaga) had the highest concentrations of the 5 fish species studied with mean summation operator PCB of 41+/-6 ng/g wet wt. while lowest mean concentrations were present in cod muscle (16+/-8 ng/g ww). Concentrations of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), DDT, CHL-related compounds and PCB congeners were strongly correlated with trophic level of the organisms assigned using delta(15)N values, while beta-HCH, gamma-HCH and cis-chlordane showed no relationship with trophic level. Food web magnification factors (FWMFs) for p,p'-DDE, alpha-HCH, oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor the White Sea were similar to those from marine food webs in the Barents Sea and the Canadian arctic, while FWMFs for HCB and PCBs were generally lower. Overall the results suggest that the White Sea marine food differs in terms of the availability of contaminants in comparison to studies of open ocean arctic food webs due to proximity to urban/industrial areas and greater importance of benthic food sources.     

Trace element accumulations in 13 avian species collected from the Kanto area, Japan

In the present study, concentrations of 13 elements (Li, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Hg) were measured in the tissues of the livers, the kidneys, pectoral muscles, lungs and brains of 13 avian species collected from the Kanto area of Japan. The difference in hepatic heavy metal levels of the grey herons from the two sites was compared. Metal levels in the sediment of the Tama River estuary, situated in the Haneda area, were also measured. These results revealed that heavy metal pollution is present in an aquatic area of Haneda. The accumulation patterns of Cu and Zn in the livers of grey herons appeared to be separated into two groups. Additionally, the present study includes the properties of other metal accumulations and their relationships in avian species.     

Heavy metals in fish from the Barents Sea (summer 1994)

To assess the significance of metals in biota of the Barents Sea, preliminary information is presented for the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, Ni, Cu and Zn in liver and muscle tissues of 15 marine fish species collected in the summer of 1994. Lead and Ni concentrations are below limits of detection (< 0.3 and 1.0 mg kg-1 dry wt.) in all tissues, as is Cd in muscle (< 0.10 mg kg-1). Generally, most of our results are within the reported literature range for various Arctic marine systems, especially regarding some commercially important species like cod and redfish, indicating that metal levels are not elevated. However, the interspecific variability is substantial and some remarkably high Cd levels (2.4 and 8.1 mg kg-1 dry wt.) in livers of Anarhichas species (catfish) and Raja fyllae (round skate) point to the problem of a general 'cadmium-anomaly' in polar marine waters, previously inferred from reported results for various pelagic and benthic invertebrates.