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Bone fluoride concentrations in beluga whales from Canada
I Mikaelian1, C W Qualls, S De Guise
1Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, PQ, Canada.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|May 8, 1999
Summary
Beluga whales in Canada show high bone fluoride levels, exceeding those in terrestrial mammals. Unexpectedly, Hudson Bay belugas had higher fluoride than St. Lawrence belugas, suggesting diet impacts exposure.
Area of Science:
- Marine Mammal Health
- Environmental Toxicology
- Beluga Whale Research
Background:
- Beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in the St. Lawrence Estuary exhibit dental and bone abnormalities.
- Elevated fluoride exposure is a potential cause for these observed health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bone fluoride levels in beluga whales from two distinct Canadian populations.
- To assess the relationship between fluoride exposure and observed abnormalities in beluga whales.
Main Methods:
- Bone samples were collected from beluga whales stranded in the St. Lawrence Estuary (n=8) and hunted in Hudson Bay (n=9).
- Bone fluoride concentrations were measured and compared between the two populations and with established toxic levels for terrestrial mammals.
Main Results:
- Fluoride concentrations in both beluga whale populations were higher than levels typically found in intoxicated terrestrial mammals.
- Beluga whales from Hudson Bay exhibited significantly higher bone fluoride levels (10.365 ± 1.098 ppm) compared to those from the St. Lawrence Estuary (4.539 ± 0.875 ppm).
- A positive correlation between age and bone fluoride concentration was observed in the St. Lawrence beluga whale population.
Conclusions:
- Beluga whales in both studied Canadian populations are exposed to high levels of fluoride.
- Dietary differences between the Hudson Bay and St. Lawrence populations likely contribute to the observed variations in bone fluoride concentrations.
- Further research into dietary habits and specific fluoride sources is warranted to understand and mitigate these findings.
