Florence Caurant

Cadmium contamination in Pilot Whales Globicephala melas: Source and potential hazard to the species

Abstract Among marine mammals, pilot whales (Globicephala melas) are characterized by high levels of tissular cadmium (Cd). In this species, squids are used as a major food item, inducing an important Cd intake. In a significant fraction of the mammal population sampled in the vicinity of the Faroe Islands, blood and urine Cd concentrations are higher than minimum adverse-effect levels established for human beings. However, the frequency-at-age data have not shown anomalies likely to reveal a major toxic problem, suggesting a remarkable tolerance of this species to heavy metals.

Metal concentrations in eels Anguilla anguilla from the Camargue region of France

Abstract This study investigates concentrations of five metals, copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and zinc (Zn) in eel Anguilla anguilla liver tissue from the Camargue and Berre on the southern French coast. Large numbers of wintering birds feed in these important wetland sites, and eels are important food items for heron and egret species. Both sitesreceive metal inputs from riverine (Rhone and Durance) and atmospheric sources, in addition to petrochemicalrelated pollution at Berre. Concentrations of Cd, Zn and Cu were significantly higher in the livers of eels from the Camargue than from Berre. Body size class was positively correlated with concentrations of lead at both sites, and with copper at Berre. Concentrations of Hg in eel livers in the Camargue and at Berre were consistent with levels reported for contaminated areas (geometric means: 1·3 and 1·2 μg/g dry weight respectively). Eels from Berre had an elevated liver weight relative to those from the Camargue, suggesting that other factors may be affecting the Berre population. The higher metal concentrations found in eels from the Camargue suggest that further investigations should be undertaken as to the source of this pollution, and on the processes of transfer and accumulation at this important wetland site.