Mercury poisoning in wildlife
PDF on file: 4938_Heinz.pdf
By: G. H. Heinz
Edited by: Anne Fairbrother, Louis N. Locke, and Gerald L. Hoff
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Abstract
Mercury is an intriguing contaminant because it has complex chemical properties, a wide range of harmful effects, and an infinite persistence in the environment. Die-offs of wildlife due to mercury have occurred in many countries, especially before mercury seed dressings were banned. Today, most mercury problems are associated with aquatic environments. Methylmercury, the most toxic chemical form, attacks many organ systems, but damage to the central nervous system is most severe. Harmful wet-weight concentrations of mercury, as methylmercury, in the tissues of adult birds and mammals range from about 8-30 ppm in the brain, 20-60 ppm in liver, 20-60 ppm in kidney, and 15-30 ppm in muscle. Young animals may be more sensitive.
Suggested Citation
Heinz, G.H., 1996, Mercury poisoning in wildlife, chap. of Noninfectious diseases of wildlife, p. 118-127.
| Publication type | Book chapter |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Book Chapter |
| Title | Mercury poisoning in wildlife |
| Year Published | 1996 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Iowa State University Press |
| Publisher location | Ames |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | xiii, 219 |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Other Government Series |
| Larger Work Title | Noninfectious diseases of wildlife |
| First page | 118 |
| Last page | 127 |