High-precision isotopic analysis sheds new light on mercury metabolism in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas)

Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez; Ana Rua-Ibarz; Eva M. Krupp; Jörg Feldmann; Frank Vanhaecke

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-43825-z

High-precision isotopic analysis sheds new light on mercury metabolism in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas)

Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez, Ana Rua-Ibarz, Eva M. Krupp, Jörg Feldmann, Frank Vanhaecke (Corresponding Author)

Chemistry

Ghent University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

Whales accumulate mercury (Hg), but do not seem to show immediate evidence of toxic effects. Analysis of different tissues (liver, kidney, muscle) and biofluids (blood, milk) from a pod of stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) showed accumulation of Hg as a function of age, with a significant decrease in the MeHg fraction. Isotopic analysis revealed remarkable differences between juvenile and adult whales. During the first period of life, Hg in the liver became isotopically lighter (δ202Hg decreased) with a strongly decreasing methylmercury (MeHg) fraction. We suggest this is due to preferential demethylation of MeHg with the lighter Hg isotopes and transport of MeHg to less sensitive organs, such as the muscles. Also changes in diet, with high MeHg intake in utero and during lactation, followed by increasing consumption of solid food contribute to this behavior. Interestingly, this trend in δ202Hg is reversed for livers of adult whales (increasing δ202Hg value), accompanied by a progressive decrease of δ202Hg in muscle at older ages. These total Hg (THg) isotopic trends suggest changes in the Hg metabolism of the long-finned pilot whales, development of (a) detoxification mechanism(s) (e.g., though the formation of HgSe particles), and Hg redistribution across the different organs.

Original language	English
Article number	7262
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43825-z
Publication status	Published - 13 May 2019

Bibliographical note

Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez acknowledges BOF-UGent for his postdoctoral grant. We acknowledge Arnout Laureys for his support, Jonas Kunigkeit and Magali Perez for isolation of HgSe particles, and Dr. Andrew Brownlow for given access to the Pilot Whale samples.

Keywords

element cycles
marine mammals
mass spectrometry
Stable isotope analysis
HEAVY-METALS
MARINE MAMMALS
TRACE-ELEMENTS
FOOD WEBS
METHYLMERCURY
ABIOTIC METHYLATION
INORGANIC MERCURY
PACIFIC HARBOR SEAL
PHOCA-VITULINA-RICHARDII

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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High-precision isotopic analysis sheds new light on mercury metabolism in long-finned pilot whales Globicephala melas
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Cite this

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title = "High-precision isotopic analysis sheds new light on mercury metabolism in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas)",

abstract = "Whales accumulate mercury (Hg), but do not seem to show immediate evidence of toxic effects. Analysis of different tissues (liver, kidney, muscle) and biofluids (blood, milk) from a pod of stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) showed accumulation of Hg as a function of age, with a significant decrease in the MeHg fraction. Isotopic analysis revealed remarkable differences between juvenile and adult whales. During the first period of life, Hg in the liver became isotopically lighter (δ202Hg decreased) with a strongly decreasing methylmercury (MeHg) fraction. We suggest this is due to preferential demethylation of MeHg with the lighter Hg isotopes and transport of MeHg to less sensitive organs, such as the muscles. Also changes in diet, with high MeHg intake in utero and during lactation, followed by increasing consumption of solid food contribute to this behavior. Interestingly, this trend in δ202Hg is reversed for livers of adult whales (increasing δ202Hg value), accompanied by a progressive decrease of δ202Hg in muscle at older ages. These total Hg (THg) isotopic trends suggest changes in the Hg metabolism of the long-finned pilot whales, development of (a) detoxification mechanism(s) (e.g., though the formation of HgSe particles), and Hg redistribution across the different organs.",

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note = "Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez acknowledges BOF-UGent for his postdoctoral grant. We acknowledge Arnout Laureys for his support, Jonas Kunigkeit and Magali Perez for isolation of HgSe particles, and Dr. Andrew Brownlow for given access to the Pilot Whale samples. ",

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AU - Rua-Ibarz, Ana

AU - Krupp, Eva M.

AU - Feldmann, Jörg

AU - Vanhaecke, Frank

N1 - Eduardo Bolea-Fernandez acknowledges BOF-UGent for his postdoctoral grant. We acknowledge Arnout Laureys for his support, Jonas Kunigkeit and Magali Perez for isolation of HgSe particles, and Dr. Andrew Brownlow for given access to the Pilot Whale samples.

PY - 2019/5/13

Y1 - 2019/5/13

N2 - Whales accumulate mercury (Hg), but do not seem to show immediate evidence of toxic effects. Analysis of different tissues (liver, kidney, muscle) and biofluids (blood, milk) from a pod of stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) showed accumulation of Hg as a function of age, with a significant decrease in the MeHg fraction. Isotopic analysis revealed remarkable differences between juvenile and adult whales. During the first period of life, Hg in the liver became isotopically lighter (δ202Hg decreased) with a strongly decreasing methylmercury (MeHg) fraction. We suggest this is due to preferential demethylation of MeHg with the lighter Hg isotopes and transport of MeHg to less sensitive organs, such as the muscles. Also changes in diet, with high MeHg intake in utero and during lactation, followed by increasing consumption of solid food contribute to this behavior. Interestingly, this trend in δ202Hg is reversed for livers of adult whales (increasing δ202Hg value), accompanied by a progressive decrease of δ202Hg in muscle at older ages. These total Hg (THg) isotopic trends suggest changes in the Hg metabolism of the long-finned pilot whales, development of (a) detoxification mechanism(s) (e.g., though the formation of HgSe particles), and Hg redistribution across the different organs.

AB - Whales accumulate mercury (Hg), but do not seem to show immediate evidence of toxic effects. Analysis of different tissues (liver, kidney, muscle) and biofluids (blood, milk) from a pod of stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) showed accumulation of Hg as a function of age, with a significant decrease in the MeHg fraction. Isotopic analysis revealed remarkable differences between juvenile and adult whales. During the first period of life, Hg in the liver became isotopically lighter (δ202Hg decreased) with a strongly decreasing methylmercury (MeHg) fraction. We suggest this is due to preferential demethylation of MeHg with the lighter Hg isotopes and transport of MeHg to less sensitive organs, such as the muscles. Also changes in diet, with high MeHg intake in utero and during lactation, followed by increasing consumption of solid food contribute to this behavior. Interestingly, this trend in δ202Hg is reversed for livers of adult whales (increasing δ202Hg value), accompanied by a progressive decrease of δ202Hg in muscle at older ages. These total Hg (THg) isotopic trends suggest changes in the Hg metabolism of the long-finned pilot whales, development of (a) detoxification mechanism(s) (e.g., though the formation of HgSe particles), and Hg redistribution across the different organs.

KW - element cycles

KW - marine mammals

KW - mass spectrometry

KW - Stable isotope analysis

KW - HEAVY-METALS

KW - MARINE MAMMALS

KW - TRACE-ELEMENTS

KW - FOOD WEBS

KW - METHYLMERCURY

KW - ABIOTIC METHYLATION

KW - INORGANIC MERCURY

KW - PACIFIC HARBOR SEAL

KW - PHOCA-VITULINA-RICHARDII

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UR - http://www.mendeley.com/research/highprecision-isotopic-analysis-sheds-new-light-mercury-metabolism-longfinned-pilot-whales-globiceph

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-019-43825-z

DO - 10.1038/s41598-019-43825-z

M3 - Article

C2 - 31086275

SN - 2045-2322

VL - 9

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

M1 - 7262

ER -

High-precision isotopic analysis sheds new light on mercury metabolism in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas)

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

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