Total Mercury and Stable Nitrogen and Carbon Isotope Content in Polar Bear Hair in the Russian Arctic

The results of studies of the mercury concentrations and stable isotope ratios of nitrogen (δN) and carbon (δC) in the hair of polar bears () inhabiting the islands of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, Novaya Zemlya archipelago, as well as the Yamal and Taymyr peninsulas are presented. It is shown that the levels of mercury accumulation in the hair of polar bears from the Franz Josef Land archipelago are characterized by values lower (about 2.0 mg/kg) than those in polar bears from the Canadian sector of the Arctic and commensurate with those of animals from Spitsbergen. A significant positive correlation was found between the mercury concentration and stable isotope (δN and δC) values. The minimum concentrations of mercury and isotope values (δN and δC) in the hair of bears from Yuzhny Island (Novaya Zemlya) may be a consequence of increased content of non-marine food in their diet rather than a result of climate change. The recorded mercury concentrations in the hair of bears indicate the absence of a threat to animal health.