Heavy metal concentrations in Juan Fernández fur seals (Arctocephalus philippii)

During 1992, mercury, cadmium and lead concentrations were determined from livers of Juan Fernández fur seals (27 pups, one subadult, and one adult) found dead at Alejandro Selkirk Island, Chile. In pups, concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead averaged 9.33 mg kg−1 (SD = 6.56), 0.51 mg kg−1 (SD = 0.19) and 0.47 mg kg−1 (SD = 0.43), respectively. In the subadult and adult, concentrations of mercury were 27.29 and 75.09 mg/kg; of cadmium 1.66 and 1.57 mg kg−1; and of lead 0.07 and 1.37 mg kg−1, respectively. Possible sources of contamination with these metals are discussed.