Weddell seal

In muscle of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelli), copper is positively correlated with iron (Szefer et al. 1994). In general, concentrations of copper in all tissues of all marine vertebrates examined are positively correlated with concentrations of iron (Eisler 1984). 

In mammals, copper absorption across the intestinal mucosa is inhibited by concomitant high oral intake of zinc (Aaseth and Norseth 1986). In livers from Weddell seals, copper is positively correlated with zinc (Szefer et al. 1994). The addition of zinc to swine diets protects against copper toxicosis caused by eating diets containing 250 mg Cu/kg ration (USEPA 1980). 

Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddelli Antarctic, February-March 1989 ... 

Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellr, Antarctic Ocean 1980-82 blubber... 

Tedman, R. A. 1983. Ultrastructural morphology of the mammary gland with observations on the size distribution of fat droplets in milk of the Weddell seal Leptony-chotes weddelli (Pinnipedia) J. Zool. Lond. 200, 131-141. 

Kawano, M., Inoue, T., Hidaka, H., Tatsukawa, R. (1986) Chlordane residues in krill, fish and Weddell seal from the Antarctic. Toxicol. Environ. Chem. 11, 137. 

Hill, R.D., R.C. Schneider, G.C. Liggins, A.H. Schuette, R.L. Elliott, M. Guppy, P.W. Hochachka, J. Qvist, K. J. Falke, and W.M. Zapol (1987). Heart rate and body temperature during free diving of Weddell seals. Am. J. Physiol. 253 R344-R351. 

Hochachka, P. W., G.C. Liggins, G.P. Guyton, R.C. Schneider, K.S. Stanek, W.E. Hurford, R.K. Creasy, D.G. Zapol, and W.M. Zapol (1995). Hormonal regulatory adjustments during voluntary diving in Weddell seals. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 112B 361-375. 

Kooyman, G.L., E.H. Wahrenbrock, M.A. Castellini, R.W. Davis, and E.E. Sinnett (1980). Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism during voluntary diving in Weddell seals Evidence of preferred pathways from blood chemistry and behaviour. J. Comp. Physiol. 138 335-346. 

Winslow, R. M., and C. C. Monge (1987). Hypoxia, Polycythemia and Chronic Mountain Sickness. Baltimore Johns Hopkins University Press. Zapol, W.M., G.C. Liggins, R.C. Schneider, J. Qvist, M.T. Snider, R.K. Creasy, and P.W. Hochachka (1979). Regional blood flow during simulated diving in the conscious Weddell seal. J. Appl. Physiol. 47 968-973. 

DDT has been reported in the fat of Eskimos in the Arctic and in fish according to Durham (7), and in Weddell seals and Adelie penguins in the Antarctic according to George (8). In these remote areas any form of direct contamination is out of the question and we must turn to the sea and air for the source. Certainly the sea, or the life dwelling in it, is a prime suspect. We cannot, however, rule out air-borne contamination. Ice laid down in 1964 on Mt. Olympus, in the state of Washington, has been found to contain 0.3 p.p.b. of DDT [cited by Metcalf... 

Pugh, L.G. (1959). Carbon monoxide content of the blood and other observations on Weddell seals. Nature 183 74-6. 

Chlordane compounds were detected in the blubbers of Weddel seals caught near to the Syowa Station (75). Sampling, dissection and pretreatment were all conducted so as to prevent any possible contamination from chlorinated hydrocarbons, e.g., by washing the electric devices, knives, polyethylene bags and other materials with high purity acetone. Quantification was performed by GC-MS and values of 12-62 ng g were ascertained. Airborne transport can probably account for the presence of these substances in Antarctica. 

M. Kawano, T. Inoue, H. Hidaka, R. Tatsukawa, Chlordane compounds residues in Weddell seals Leptonychotes wedded) from the Antarctic, Chemo.sphere, 13 (1984). 95-100. 

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