Is dietary mercury of neurotoxicological concern to wild polar bears (Ursus maritimus)?

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Volumn 28, Issue 1, 2009, Pages 133-140

  Basu, Niladri ^a   Scheuhammer, Anton M ^b   Sonne, Christian ^c   Letcher, Robert J ^b   Born, Erik W ^d   Dietz, Rune ^c  

^a UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH   (United States)

^b CARLETON UNIVERSITY   (Canada)

^c NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE   (Denmark)

^d GREENLAND INSTITUTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES   (Greenland)

Author keywords

Brain; Mercury; N methyl D aspartate receptor; Neurochemical biomarkers; Wildlife

Indexed keywords

ADVERSE EFFECT; BRAIN STEM; CHOLINERGIC RECEPTORS; EARLY EFFECTS; GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACIDS; GREENLAND; HIGH CONCENTRATION; LOW LEVEL; MERCURY; METHYL MERCURY; MONOAMINE OXIDASE; N METHYL D ASPARTATE RECEPTOR; N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE; NEGATIVE CORRELATION; NMDA RECEPTOR; POLAR BEARS; RECEPTOR LEVELS; SENSITIVE INDICATOR; TOTAL MERCURIES;

AMINO ACIDS; BIOMARKERS; BRAIN; MAMMALS; MERCURY COMPOUNDS; SELENIUM;

MERCURY (METAL);

4 AMINOBUTYRIC ACID A RECEPTOR; AMINE OXIDASE (FLAVIN CONTAINING); BIOLOGICAL MARKER; CHOLINESTERASE; DOPAMINE 2 RECEPTOR; MERCURY; METHYLMERCURY; MUSCARINIC RECEPTOR; N METHYL DEXTRO ASPARTIC ACID RECEPTOR; NICOTINIC RECEPTOR; SELENIUM;

ARCTIC ENVIRONMENT; BEAR; BIOACCUMULATION; BIOMARKER; BRAIN; ECOTOXICOLOGY; HYPOTHESIS TESTING; MERCURY (ELEMENT); METHYLMERCURY; POLLUTION EFFECT; POLLUTION EXPOSURE; WILD POPULATION;

ANIMAL TISSUE; ARTICLE; BRAIN STEM; DIETARY INTAKE; FEMALE; GREENLAND; MALE; MEDULLA OBLONGATA; NEUROTOXICITY; NEUROTOXICOLOGY; NONHUMAN; POLAR BEAR; PRIORITY JOURNAL; ANIMAL; CARNIVORA; DIET; DRUG EFFECT; NERVOUS SYSTEM; WATER POLLUTANT;

MAMMALIA; URSUS MARITIMUS;

ANIMALS; BIOLOGICAL MARKERS; CARNIVORA; DIET; FEMALE; MALE; MERCURY; NERVOUS SYSTEM; RECEPTORS, N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE; WATER POLLUTANTS, CHEMICAL;

EID: 64349102015     PISSN: 07307268     EISSN: 15528618     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1897/08-251.1     Document Type: Article

References (47)

1. Dietz R, Pacyna J, Thomas DJ, Asmund G, Gordeev VV, Johansen P, Kimstach V, Lockhart L, Pfirman SL, Riget FF, Shaw G, Wagemann R, White M. 1998. Heavy metals. In Dietz R, Pacyna J, eds, AMAP Assessment report: Arctic pollution issues - Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program. Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, Oslo, Norway.
2. Fisk AT, de Wit CA, Wayland M, Kuzyk ZZ, Burgess N, Letcher R, Braune B, Norstrom R, Blum SP, Sandau C, Lie E, Larsen HJ, Skaare JU, Muir DC. 2005. An assessment of the toxicological significance of anthropogenic contaminants in Canadian arctic wildlife. Sci Total Environ 351/352:57-93.
3. Dietz R, Riget F, Born EW, Sonne C, Grandjean P, Kirkegaard M, Olsen MT, Asmund G, Renzoni A, Baagoe H, Andreasen C. 2006. Trends in mercury in hair of Greenlandic polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during 1892-2001. Environ Sci Technol 40:1120-1125.
4. Dietz R, Riget FF, Boertmann D, Sonne C, Olsen MT, Fjeldsa J, Falk K, Kirkegaard M, Egevang C, Asmund G, Wille F, Moller S. 2006. Time trends of mercury in feathers of West Greenland birds of prey during 1851-2003. Environ Sci Technol 40:5911-5916.
5. Steinnes E, Sjobakk TE. 2005. Order-of-magnitude increase of Hg in Norwegian peat profiles since the outset of industrial activity in Europe. Environ Pollut 137:365-370.
6. Clarkson TW, Magos L. 2006. The toxicology of mercury and its chemical compounds. Crit Rev Toxicol 36:609-662.
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1997. Mercury study report to Congress, Vol VII: Characterization of human health and wildlife risks from mercury exposure in the United States. EPA-452/R-97-009. Washington, DC.
8. Aschner M, Aschner JL. 1990. Mercury neurotoxicity: Mechanisms of blood-brain barrier transport. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 14:169-176.
9. Manzo L, Castoldi AF, Coccini T, Prockop LD. 2001. Assessing effects of neurotoxic pollutants by biochemical markers. Environ Res 85:31-36.
10. Stamler CJ, Basu N, Chan HM. 2005. Biochemical markers of neurotoxicity in wildlife and human populations: Considerations for method development. J Toxicol Environ Health 68:1413-1429.
11. Basu N, Klenavic K, Gamberg M, O'Brien M, Evans RD, Scheuhammer AM, Chan HM. 2005. Effects of mercury on neurochemical receptor binding characteristics in wild mink. Environ Toxicol Chem 24:1444-1450.
12. Basu N, Scheuhammer AM, Rouvinen-Watt K, Grochowina N, Evans RD, O'Brien M, Chan HM. 2007. Decreased N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor levels are associated with mercury exposure in wild and captive mink. Neurotoxicology 28:587-593.
13. Scheuhammer AM, Basu N, Burgess NM, Elliott JE, Campbell GD, Wayland M, Champoux L, Rodrigue J. 2008. Relationships among mercury, selenium, and neurochemical parameters in common loons (Gavia immer) and bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Ecotoxicology 17:93-101.
14. Basu N, Scheuhammer AM, Evans RD, O'Brien M, Chan HM. 2006. Cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activity in relation to mercury levels in the cerebral cortex of wild river otters. Hum Exp Toxicol 26:213-220.
15. Basu N, Scheuhammer AM, Rouvinen-Watt K, Grochowina N, Klenavic K, Evans RD, Chan HM. 2006. Methylmercury impairs components of the cholinergic system in captive mink (Mustela vison). Toxicol Sci 91:202-209.
16. Berntssen MHG, Aatland A, Handy RD. 2003. Chronic dietary mercury exposure causes oxidative stress, brain lesions, and altered behaviour in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr. Aquat Toxicol 65:55-72.
17. Chakrabarti SK, Loua KM, Bai C, Durham H, Panisset JC. 1998. Modulation of monoamine oxidase activity in different brain regions and platelets following exposure of rats to methylmercury. Neurotoxicol Teratol 20:161-168.
18. Coccini T, Randine G, Castoldi AF, Grandjean P, Ostendorp G, Heinzow B, Manzo L. 2006. Effects of developmental co-exposure to methylmercury and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB153) on cholinergic muscarinic receptors in rat brain. Neurotoxicology 27:468-477.
19. Siegel GJ, Albers RW, Brady ST, Price DL, eds. 2006. Basic Neurochemistry. Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects, 7th ed. Elsevier Academic, Burlington, MA, USA.
20. Norstrom RJ, Schweinsberg RE, Collins BT. 1986. Heavy metals and essential elements in livers of the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) in the Canadian Arctic. Sci Total Environ 48:195-212.
21. Dietz R, Nielsen CO, Hansen MM, Hansen CT. 1990. Organic mercury in Greenland birds and mammals. Sci Total Environ 95: 41-51.
22. Atwell L, Hobson KA, Welch HE. 1998. Biomagnification and bioaccumulation of mercury in an arctic marine food web: Insights from stable nitrogen isotope analysis. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 55:1114-1121.
23. Braune BM, Norstrom RJ, Wong MP, Collins BT, Lee J. 1991. Geographical distribution of metals in livers of polar bears from the Northwest Territories, Canada. Sci Total Environ 100:283-299.
24. Dietz R, Riget F, Born EW. 2000. An assessment of selenium to mercury in Greenland marine animals. Sci Total Environ 245: 15-24.
25. Dietz R, Riget F, Born EW. 2000. Geographical differences of zinc, cadmium, mercury and selenium in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Greenland. Sci Total Environ 245:25-47.
26. Woshner VM, O'Hara TM, Bratton GR, Beasley VR. 2001. Concentrations and interactions of selected essential and non-essential elements in ringed seals and polar bears of arctic Alaska. J Wildl Dis 37:711-721.
27. Rush SA, Borgå K, Dietz R, Born EW, Sonne C, Evans T, Muir DC, Letcher RJ, Norstrom RJ, Fisk AT. 2008. Geographic distribution of selected elements in the livers of polar bears from Greenland, Canada and the United States. Environ Pollut 153: 618-626.
28. Basu N, Scheuhammer AM, Bursian SJ, Elliott J, Rouvinen-Watt K, Chan HM. 2007. Mink as a sentinel species in environmental health. Environ Res 103:130-144.
29. Scheuhammer AM, Meyer MW, Sandheinrich MB, Murray MW. 2007. Effects of environmental methylmercury on the health of wild birds, mammals, and fish. Ambio 36:12-18.
30. Sonne C, Dietz R, Leifsson P, Asmund G, Born E, Kirkegaard M. 2007. Are liver and renal lesions in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus) associated with high mercury levels? Environ Health 6:11.
31. Gebbink WA, Sonne C, Dietz R, Kirkegaard M, Born EW, Muir DC, Letcher RJ. 2008. Target tissue selectivity and burdens of diverse classes of brominated and chlorinated contaminants in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from East Greenland. Environ Sci Technol 42:752-759.
32. Gebbink WA, Sonne C, Dietz R, Kirkegaard M, Riget FF, Born EW, Muir DCG, Letcher RJ. 2008b. Tissue-specific congener composition of organohalogen and metabolite contaminants in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Environ Pollut 152:621-629.
33. Dietz R, Heide-Jørgensen M-P, Härkönen T, Teilmann J, Valentin N. 1991. Age determination of European harbour seals. Sarsia 76:17-21.
34. Neugebauer EA, Sans Cartier GL, Wakeford BJ. 2000. Methods for the determination of metals in wildlife tissues using various atomic absorption spectrophotometry techniques. Technical Report Service 337E. Environment Canada, Hull, PQ.
35. Scheuhammer AM, Wong AHK, Bond D. 1998. Mercury and selenium accumulation in common loons (Gavia immer) and common mergansers (Mergus merganser) from eastern Canada. Environ Toxicol Chem 17:197-201.
36. Minamata Study Group. 1968. Minamata disease. Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
37. Derocher AE, Wiig Ø, Andersen M. 2002. Diet composition of polar bears in Svalbard and the western Barents Sea. Polar Biol 25:448-452.
38. Stirling I. 1974. Mid-summer observations on the behaviour of wild polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Can J Zool 52:1191-1198.
39. Bloom NS. 1992. On the chemical form of mercury in edible fish and marine invertebrate tissue. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 49:1010-1017.
40. Ejima A, Watanabe C, Koyama H, Matsuno K, Satoh H. 1996. Determination of selenium in the human brain by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Biol Trace Elem Res 54:9-21.
41. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1999. The national survey of mercury concentrations in fish. Data base summary 1990-1995. EPA-823-R-99-014. Washington, DC.
42. Basu N, Scheuhammer AM, Grochowina NM, Klenavic K, Evans RD, O'Brien M, Chan HM. 2005. Effects of mercury on neurochemical receptors in wild river otters (Lontra canadensis). Environ Sci Technol 39:3585-3591.
43. Kornhuber J, Retz W, Riederer P, Heinsen H, Fritze J. 1998. Effect of antemortem and postmortem factors on [3H]glutamate binding in the human brain. Neurosci Lett 93:312-317.
44. Johansen P, Muir D, Asmund G, Riget F. 2004. Human exposure to contaminants in the traditional Greenland diet. Sci Total Environ 331:189-206.
45. Van Oostdam J, Donaldson SG, Feeley M, Arnold D, Ayotte P, Bondy G, Chan L, Dewaily E, Furgal CM, Kuhnlein H, Loring E, Muckle G, Myles E, Receveur O, Tracy B, Gill U, Kalhok S. 2005. Human health implications of environmental contaminants in Arctic Canada: A review. Sci Total Environ 351/352:165-246.
46. Pedersen MB, Hansen JC, Mulvad G, Pedersen HS, Gregersen M, Danscher G. 1999. Mercury accumulations in brains from populations exposed to high and low dietary levels of methyl mercury. Concentration, chemical form and distribution of mercury in brain samples from autopsies. Int J Circumpolar Health 58:96-107.
47. Weihe P, Hansen JC, Murata K, Debes F, Jørgensen P, Steuerwald U, White RF, Grandjean P. 2002. Neurobehavioral performance of Inuit children with increased prenatal exposure to methylmercury. Int J Circumpolar Health 61:41-49.