Walter H. Gutenmann

Residues of Total Mercury and Methylmercuric Salts in Lake Trout as a Function of Age

An analysis of the concentrations of total mercury and methylmercuric salts in lake trout of precisely known ages from 1 to 12 years has been carried out. The concentrations of both total mercury and methylmercury increased with the age of the fish. The proportion of methylmercury to total mercury also increased with age.

Selenium content of Brazil nuts from two geographic locations in Brazil

Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) natively contain very high concentrations of selenium. Since dietary selenium, including Brazil nuts, have been associated with protection against tumor development in laboratory animal studies, it was of interest to determine the selenium content of the nuts from different nut-growing regions of Brazil. In the work reported, 162 nuts from each of two regions (Acre-Rondonia and Manaus-Belem) were individually analyzed for selenium. The average +/- standard deviation and range of selenium concentrations in ppm, fresh weight for nuts from Acre-Rondonia and Manaus-Belem regions were, respectively, 3.06 +/- 4.01 (0.03-31.7) and 36.0 +/- 50.0 (1.25-512.0). The toxicology of Brazil nut consumption is discussed.

Bioaccumulation of toxicants, element and nutrient composition, and soft tissue histology of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) from New York State waters

Abstract Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) were collected from three rivers and three lakes in New York State and analyzed for toxic and nutrient elements, amino acids and vitamins. The concentration of Cd and Se in soft tissues was generally high. Calcium comprised 40% by weight of the shell. Polychlorinated biphenyls were markedly higher in soft tissues of zebra mussels from the Hudson River than the other waters. Mussel soft tissues from only two waters showed detectable levels of p,p′-DDE. Significant histologic lesions or infectious agents were not observed in soft tissues.

Eggshell thinning in Japanese quail fed mercuric chloride

The eggs produced by developing Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed 1 to 8 parts of mercury per million as mercuric chloride for 10 weeks have thinned shells. Total amounts of mercury in tissues were quite proportional to the dosage and were higher in males than in females. Methylation of mercury was not observed.

Toxic and nutrient element concentrations in soft tissues of zebra and quagga mussels from Lakes Erie and Ontario.

Zebra and quagga mussels were collected from Lakes Erie and Ontario in 1997 and the soft mussel tissues were analyzed for Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, V and Zn. No consistent relationships were apparent when comparing element concentrations in soft mussel tissues and mussel type, size range or sampling location. Literature dealing with the absorption of metals by both mussel types is reviewed.

Analytical survey of elements and other constituents in Central New York state sewage sludges

Thirty-nine elements, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile N-nitrosamines and gamma emission were determined by several instrumental methods in sewage sludges from 24 communities in Central New York. Relatively high concentrations of certain elements or PCBs were found in sludges from specific communities. For example, antimony and certain rare earth elements used in glass manufacture were found at elevated levels in sludge from Corning, New York. Various volatile N-nitrosamines were found in all of the sludges in trace amounts. Gamma emission levels were relatively low in all sludges. One-third of the sludges would be classified as unsuitable for agricultural land application based on presently suggested federal guidelines for acceptable heavy metal or PCB concentrations in sludges. The question of the application of sludge to agricultural land is discussed.

Contaminant and nutrient element levels in soft tissues of zebra and quagga mussels from waters of southern Lake Ontario

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare concentrations of toxic and nutrient elements in soft tissues of two dreissenid mussels, Dreissena polymorpha and a new dreissenid species given the working name of “quagga”, collected from the New York waters of Lake Ontario. In general, elemental concentrations were similar between the two mussel types. The only exceptions were concentrations of Cr, Mo and Zn which were significantly (p

Concentrations of metals in grasses in the vicinity of a municipal refuse incinerator

There is currently much public opposition to the construction of municipal refuse incinerators in the United States owing to health concerns about emitted toxicants. In this study, 19 elements and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in grasses sampled upwind and downwind from a municipal refuse incinerator which had no emission control devices. Concentrations of Cd, Mo, Hg, Zn, Fe, and Pb were generally highest immediately adjacent to the incinerator. Foliar concentration of the metals, Cd, Mo, Zn, Fe, and Pb was inversely related to the logarithm of the distance downwind from the incinerator. Foliar concentration of Hg decreased linearly with distance downwind. Polychlorinated biphenyls were not detectable in any of the grass samples possibly due to their thermal destruction during incineration or greater dispersion because of their higher vapor pressure. The metal concentration in plants in the vicinity of such incinerators will be affected by the composition of the refuse, incinerator design and stack height, combustion operating conditions, emission control devices, the nature of the plant surface, the water solubility of deposited metal-containing particulates, prevailing weather conditions and root uptake of such metals by plants.

Cadmium and nickel in smoke of cigarettes prepared from tobacco cultured on municipal sludge-amended soil.

Cigarettes prepared from tobacco grown on municipal sludge-amended soil were smoked, and the mainstream particulates and gaseous fractions were analyzed for total cadmium and nickel content. Sludge-grown and control (soil-grown) tobaccos contained, respectively, 67.4 and 3.18 ppm of cadmium and 19.4 and 1.29 ppm of nickel. The quantities of cadmium (microgram per cigarette) found in the mainstream particulate and gaseous fractions were, respectively, 6.67 and 0.04 for the sludge-grown and 0.21 and 0.03 for the control treatments. The quantities of nickel (microgram per cigarette) found in the mainstream particulates and gaseous fractions were, respectively, 0.11 and 0.07 for the sludge-grown and 0.01 and 0.01 for the control treatments. The potential public health implications of these results and modifying factors are discussed.

Residues of p,p'-DDE and mercury in lake trout as a function of age.

Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) of known age from 1 to 12 years were taken from Cayuga Lake in central New York State in 1991 and p,p′-DDE and mercury were determined in their flesh. The concentrations of p,p′-DDE and mercury increased significantly (p<0.001) with increasing age of the fish. The concentration of p,p′-DDE also increased significantly (p<0.001) with increasing fat content. The concentrations of p,p′-DDE were much lower than those found in Cayuga Lake trout of similar age captured in 1978.