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Beluga whales' mercurial status

Mercury pollution in the St. Lawrence River estuary may be playing a role in the high incidence of cancers among beluga whales.

References:

Gauthier, J.M., H. Dubeau, and É. Rassart. 1998. Mercury-induced micronuclei in skin fibroblasts of beluga whales. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 17(December):2487.

Further Readings:

Raloff, J. 1991. Mercurial risks from acid's reign. Science News 139(March 9):152.

Sources:

Julie M. Gauthier
Université du Québec à Montréal
Département des Sciences Biologiques
C.P. 8888
Succursale Centre-Ville
Montréal, Québec H3C 3P8
Canada

From Science News, Vol. 155, No. 4, January 23, 1999, p. 56. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.

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