Levels of Some Mineral Elements in Alaskan Moose Hair

Hair samples from 317 Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas) were analyzed for 10 elements by atomic absorption spectroscopy between May 1972 and May 1973. Results demonstrated seasonal variation associated with general moose condition. Peak levels occurred in the fall and the low levels occurred during late winter and early spring. Some element levels were below lower limits of "normal values" for domestic animals over extended periods of time. Moose from different geographical locations demonstrated significant differences with certain elements, which suggested geochemical or range differences. Significant differences in magnesium, copper, and manganese were noted between winter-killed calves and live moose from the same area. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 39(2):374-378 We applied the indicator species concept, utilizing physiologic values (Franzmann 1971) to reflect changes in an animal's environment, to moose hair at the Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC). Hair was selected because of its stability and availability. Researchers in human and animal medicine have investigated hair sampling and analysis from several aspects. Some have studied protein metabolism (Bradfield 1968, Bradfield et al. 1967, Bradfield and Jelliffe 1970, Crounse et al. 1970, Godwin 1959, Lowry et al. 1951, Sims 1968), whereas others have investigated mineral metabolism (Klevay 1970, Schroeder and Nason 1969, Strain et al. 1966, 1972a). The utilization of hair analysis to monitor systemic exposure to radioisotopes and toxic elements also has been demonstrated (Hammer et al. 1971, Kopito et al. 1967, Strain et al. 1972b). The purpose of this paper is to report results of our preliminary studies and to indicate where additional work may be directed. We thank the Department of Surgery, Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, for providing analyses of hair samples. We appreciate the help from J. L. Davis and J. W. Coady, who assisted in collecting some of the hair samples. D. E. McKnight, K. B. Schneider, R. E. LeResche, and J. L. Oldemeyer read the manuscript and made helpful suggestions. The MRC is a cooperative project between the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kenai National Moose Range. MATERIALS AND METHODS From May 1972 to May 1973, 317 moose hair samples were collected, 197 from moose at the Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC). The MRC consists of four 2.6-km2 enclosures located in the area of the 1947 burn, 35 km NE of Soldotna, Alaska. Twenty-one fence-line traps (LeResche and Lynch 1973) were located strategically (12 within and 9 outside the enclosures) to facilitate capture and handling of moose. Hair was collected from each moose trapped within (138) and outside (59). Forty-four of the MRC moose were sampled more than once. The total of 268 samples from the Kenai Peninsula included 17 collected from winter-killed calves in 1 This work was supported in part by Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project W-17-R. 374 J. Wildl. Manage. 39(2):1975 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.195 on Tue, 26 Apr 2016 07:11:45 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms MINERAL ELEMENTS IN MOOSE HAIR * Franzmann et al. 375 Table 1. Means and standard deviations of monthly hair mineral macro element values from Alaskan moose, May 1972 to May 1973. Month and Element (ppm) year Sample sampled Location size Calcium Magnesium Potassium Sodium 5/72 Kenaia 11 335.0 ? 75.8 38.3 +_ 6.2 257.5 -+73.7 633.5 +104.9 5/72 enaib 17 429.5 ? 80.1 89.2 ? 21.8 336.3 -+81.2 407.1 ?+ 139.7 6/72 Kenai 17 269.6 ?108.1 27.9 ?12.8 783.7 -+485.8 475.0 ?141.7 7/72 Kenai 17 252.7 ? 107.0 22.5 ? 16.8 972.4 ? 409.0 576.7 -+185.8 8/72 Kenai 11 744.6 -+208.8 105.7 ? 40.5 894.4 ? 498.4 408.6 ? 148.2 9/72 Kenai 12 515.5 ?125.5 174.5 -+61.6 1,579.1 ? 947.2 714.2 ? 140.7 10/72 Kenai 67 225.4 ? 72.9 120.5 -+ 42.9 2,090.4 -+761.9' 1,235.4 331.8 11/72 Kenai 14 201.1 -+38.1 79.7 ?19.5 968.3 ? 569.4 1,172.0 + 292.6 12/72 Kenai 15 220.6 ?31.8 62.3 ? 12.3 468.1 ? 203.2 1,202.6 ? 285.0 1/73 Kenai 19 204.4 ? 26.9 52.8 ? 10.2 317.1 ? 68.2 1,086.4 ? 390.3 1/73 Fort Richardson 44 280.4 -+100.3 76.1 ? 22.0 406.4 ? 239.0 1,187.3 + 507.4 2/73 Kenai 21 297.9 ? 67.4 48.4 + 11.4 376.6 ? 138.4 841.2 ? 176.2 3/73 Kenai 20 243.1 + 39.1 50.2 -+19.9 428.2 ? 124.7 796.7 ? 146.1 4/73 Kenai 27 251.4 ? 46.4 44.8 ?-12.0 429.7 -+111.0 625.1 ? 129.3 4/73 Tanana Flats 5 341.9 +80.8 76.5 23.4 1,382.2 ? 809.3 615.8 ? 158.3 a Includes samples from the Moose Research Center and other localities on the Kenai Peninsula. b Winter killed calves. May 1972 and 54 from moose immobilized in October 1972 for other studies. Fortyfour samples were collected at Fort Richardson, Alaska, in January 1973, and 5 samples from the Tanana Flats area near Fairbanks, Alaska, were collected in April 1973. Hair samples were double-washed with diethyl ether, then 200-mg portions were digested in 10 ml of 24 percent methanolic tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide for 2 h at 55 C. Only the proximal 2 cm of each hair filament, including the hair follicle, were digested. This represents approximately the past two months of hair element accumulation, based upon the mean growth rate of moose hair. Samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy for the presence of four macro elements (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) and six trace elements (cadmium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, and zinc).