Potential relation between mercury concentrations and necropsy findings in cetaceans from German waters of the North and Baltic seas

Harbour porpoises and white-beaked dolphins from the German waters of the North sea and Baltic sea were analysed with respect to concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury in muscle, kidney and liver tissues. Total mercury levels were in the range 0.6 to 450 ug per g dry weight and methylmercury in the range 0.2 to 26 ug per g dry weight. Cetaceans from the North sea differed from those from the Baltic with respect to mercury levels. There was also a significant correlation between mercury content and animal age in all organs examined. No lesions characteristic of acute or chronic mercury intoxication were found, though lesser lesions were present. There are 64 references.