Toxic trace elements in spraints of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in the Daechung Lake area

The concentrations of four potentially toxic elements were analyzed in 70 spraint samples of Eurasian otters from the Daechung Lake area. The median concentrations of As, Hg, Ni, and Pb were 1.19, 1.06, 9.95, and 0.37 μg/g dry weight, respectively. A moderate negative correlation was observed between the levels of Hg and Pb (rs = -0.47). The Hg levels showed a weak negative correlation with the distances of the sampling locations from the Daechung Dam (rs = -0.35). This study provides baseline information on the health risks associated with the hazardous elements in otter species.