Hg and Se Speciation in Liver Tissue of Marine Birds

X-ray fluorescence microprobe maps of Hg and Se distribution were made on liver tissue slices from marine birds (Cormorants) from Florida's Everglades. The birds bio-concentrate these toxic pollutants that are ingested from their diet of fish. The fluorescence maps show strong localization of Mercury and Selenium into "hot spots" less than 100 microns in size. XAFS measurements were made on hot spots to demonstrate that the Hg and Se are indeed are chemically bound, supporting the idea that moderate levels of Se may have a protective effect against Hg through its complexation.