Essential and non-essential heavy metals determination in skin and muscle tissues in franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) off Argentina southern coast

PANEBIANCO, M. V.; NEGRI, M. F.; BOTTÉ S. E.; MARCOVECCHIO, J. E.; CAPPOZZO, H. L.

CHEMISTRY AND ECOLOGY

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2013 vol. 29 p. 511 - 518

0275-7540

Franciscana dolphin, Pontoporia blainvillei, is a small and ?Vulnerable? cetacean which exhibits coastal marine habits according to the IUCN (2008). The aim of this work was to determine the presence of essential (Zn and Cu) and non-essential (Cd, Pb, Cr and Ni) heavy metals in skin (n = 33) and muscle (n = 36) tissues of franciscana dolphins from southern Buenos Aires, establishing the influence of biological parameters on the accumulation of these pollutants. Histological standardized methods were used to determine both age and sexual maturity of the dolphins. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Zn was 8-fold higher than Ni in the skin. Zn was significantly affected by the age of the specimens and might be influenced by the state of body condition. Ni showed a behavior pattern similar to that of non-essential heavy metals. The relationship between Ni and Zn concentration determine in skin and muscle might provide a tool for studying the general condition of endanger marine mammals? species such as franciscana dolphin.