AI Article Synopsis
- The study examined how silver (Ag) appears chemically in the livers of five marine mammal species using advanced spectroscopic techniques.
- It found that different chemical forms of silver, specifically Ag(2)Se and Ag(2)S, were present in different species, potentially indicating varying responses to environmental toxicants like mercury (Hg).
- Additionally, the results suggest a possible protective relationship between silver and selenium (Se) or sulfur (S) in the liver, which could help reduce toxicity in these marine mammals.
Article Abstract
The chemical form of Ag in the livers of five species of marine mammals was examined using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopies. The XAFS analysis suggested that Ag(2)Se was present in the livers of the Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), and Baird's beaked whale (Berardius bairdii), whereas Ag(2)S was present in the livers of the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata). XRF spectroscopy results revealed that the distribution patterns of Ag and Se in a thin section of the liver of the Franciscana dolphin were the same; this also implied that Ag was associated with Se in the liver. Thus, the interaction of Ag with Se or S may offer significant protection against the toxicity of Ag in marine mammals. The formation of either Ag(2)Se or Ag(2)S might depend on the Hg levels in the liver. Ag(2)Se was observed in liver samples with relatively high Ag/Hg ratio, whereas liver samples with low Ag/Hg ratio contained Ag(2)S.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c1em10115c | DOI Listing |
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