Concentrations of Trace Metals in Tissues of Several Animals around Syowa Station

Abstract

Concentrations of trace metals in lung, kidney and liver of Weddell seal, Adelie penguin and snow petrel living around the Syowa Station, Antarctica were determined by atomic absorption methods using flame or flameless system. The results of analysis revealed that the concentration levels of copper, iron, zinc, cadmium and lead in the kidneys of Adelie penguin were ranging 6.5～12.4, 188～255, 26～43, <0.005～0.002 and 0.01～0.03μg per gram dry tissue, respectively. Copper and cadmium were found most concentrated in the kidneys of snow petrels among the animals examined. Concentration ratios of pairs of metals in lungs of animals showed wide ranges both among animals and between right and left lungs except in the case of Weddell seal in which the ratios were exceedingly similar in the both lungs, Mg/Fe being about 0.1, Zn/Fe 0.02～0.03, Pb/Cu 0.01～0.02, and Pb/Zn about 0.004.