Event Title

Comparing Heavy Metal Concentrations in Human Hair and River Otter Fur

Presentation Abstract

Students at the Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA) have been video monitoring river otters (Lontra canadensis) in the Snohomish River estuary system for the past three years, as well as collecting and dissecting over 200 scat samples to determine diet composition. These mammals feed opportunistically on crab, sculpin, and even bird. Because of their high trophic level standing, it was hypothesized that otters were most likely to reflect bioaccumulation of heavy metals and other elements, as well as the health of their ecosystem, which could be seen through concentrations in their fur. Fur samples were collected non-invasively by a designed brush system under a fence and elementally analyzed using the ICP-MS at the Everett Environmental Lab. Human hair was also analyzed for this study, accounting for and comparing age, gender, diet, and hair products that may contribute to concentrations. If people who consume seafood, such as crab, show similar concentration to rivers otters, a common source of bioaccumulation could be assumed. Preliminary data suggests that river otters have an average zinc concentration of 605.185 mg/kg in ppb, parts per billion, and the ratio of magnesium to iron is 1 : 3.46, respectively. A preliminary human hair survey suggests that women have an average zinc concentration of 371.826 mg/kg with a high of 733.900 mg/kg, whereas men had an average zinc concentration of 207.579 mg/kg with a high of 238.855 mg/kg. As expected, men had an average higher iron concentration than women by sevenfold, 241.464 mg/kg compared to women at 34.51 mg/kg.

Session Title

General species and food webs

Conference Track

Species and Food Webs

Conference Name

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)

Document Type

Event

Start Date

2016 12:00 AM

End Date

2016 12:00 AM

Location

2016SSEC

Type of Presentation

Poster

Genre/Form

conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events); posters

Contributing Repository

Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Subjects – Topical (LCSH)

North American river otter--Effect of heavy metals on--Washington (State)--Snohomish River Estuary

Geographic Coverage

Washington (State); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)

Rights

This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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COinS
 
Jan 1st, 12:00 AM Jan 1st, 12:00 AM

Comparing Heavy Metal Concentrations in Human Hair and River Otter Fur

2016SSEC

Students at the Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA) have been video monitoring river otters (Lontra canadensis) in the Snohomish River estuary system for the past three years, as well as collecting and dissecting over 200 scat samples to determine diet composition. These mammals feed opportunistically on crab, sculpin, and even bird. Because of their high trophic level standing, it was hypothesized that otters were most likely to reflect bioaccumulation of heavy metals and other elements, as well as the health of their ecosystem, which could be seen through concentrations in their fur. Fur samples were collected non-invasively by a designed brush system under a fence and elementally analyzed using the ICP-MS at the Everett Environmental Lab. Human hair was also analyzed for this study, accounting for and comparing age, gender, diet, and hair products that may contribute to concentrations. If people who consume seafood, such as crab, show similar concentration to rivers otters, a common source of bioaccumulation could be assumed. Preliminary data suggests that river otters have an average zinc concentration of 605.185 mg/kg in ppb, parts per billion, and the ratio of magnesium to iron is 1 : 3.46, respectively. A preliminary human hair survey suggests that women have an average zinc concentration of 371.826 mg/kg with a high of 733.900 mg/kg, whereas men had an average zinc concentration of 207.579 mg/kg with a high of 238.855 mg/kg. As expected, men had an average higher iron concentration than women by sevenfold, 241.464 mg/kg compared to women at 34.51 mg/kg.