Trends in Mercury in Hair of Greenlandic Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) During 1892–2001

Details

• Personal Author:
  Andreasen C ; Asmund G ; Baagøe H ; Born EW ; Dietz R ; Grandjean P ; Kirkegaard M ; Olsen MT ; Renzoni A ; Riget F ; Sonne C
• Description:
  Mercury concentrations in hair from 397 Greenland polar bears (Ursusmaritimus) sampled between 1892 and 2001 were analyzed for temporal trends. In East Greenland the concentrations showed a significant (p < 0.0001, n = 27) increase of 3.1%/year in the period 1892-1973. In Northwest Greenland, a similar (p < 0.0001, n = 69) increase of 2.1%/year was found, which continued until 1991, when the most recent samples were obtained. In East Greenland, a significant (p = 0.009, n = 322) decrease of 0.8%/year was observed after 1973. Two Northwest Greenland samples from 1300 A.D. had a mean value of 0.52 mg/kg of dry weight, which can be considered as a baseline level. The Hg concentration during 1985-1991 from Northwest Greenland (mean value of 7.45 mg/kg of dry weight) was more than 14-fold higher than the assumed baseline level from 1300 A.D. from the same region (i.e., about 93% anthropogenic). Although a decrease was found in East Greenland after 1973, the concentration is still ca. 11-fold higher than the baseline level (i.e., about 90% anthropogenic). [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Animals Chemistry Environmental Exposure Environmental Pollution Mercury Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Chemical Composition Environmental Exposure Environmental Pollution Hair Analysis Mercury Compounds Sampling Statistical Analysis
• ISSN:
  0013-936X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  40
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055268
• Citation:
  Environ Sci Technol 2006 Feb; 40(4):1120-1125
• Contact Point Address:
  R. Dietz, Department of Arctic Environment, National Environmental Research Institute, P.O. Box 358, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
• Email:
  rdi@dmu.dk
• CAS Registry Number:
  Mercury (CAS RN 7439-97-6)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2006
• Performing Organization:
  Harvard School of Public Health
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Environmental Science and Technology
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:34f899978f4554e2a523992cd82bb43215944d4ca2a2910b84a97a3cf5f8ec88490f3911dfb481b2f38ca5f6fb5dd39401f40b4047e8532afca564678dbed6ab
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217610/cdc_217610_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 103.39 KB ]