Toxic Metals and Other Elements in Svalbard Reindeer

Using ICP-MS and DMA-80, we obtained the concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, and other elements of interest in various tissues from Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus), including kidney, liver, muscle, brain, blood, fur, and faeces.

All tissue samples were freeze-dried and homogenized into a fine powder before analysis. For ICP-MS, samples were digested in nitric acid using a high-pressure microwave system. The following elements were quantified: Li, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Y, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ce, Yb, Pb and U. In addition to tissue elemental composition data, we include information on soft biometrics (e.g., age, weight) and other relevant sampling details.

All reported concentrations are provided in µg/g dry weight (dw) in "Tissue elemental concentrations", and as ng/g wet weight (ww) in "Wet weight concentrations". Blank cells indicate that the sample was not analysed for the compound, while N/A means that the concentration could not be detected above the LOD. Sex is noted as F=female and M=male. Calf represents whether the culled female had a calf by her side (Y) or not (N). Weight is provided as live weight and given in kg.