Dear all, here are two new publications to harbour seals of the North Sea. Kakuschke, A.; Valentine-Thon, E.; Fonfara, S.; Griesel, S.; Rosenberger, T.; Siebert, U.; Prange, A. Metal-induced impairment of the cellular immunity of newborn harbour seals (Phoca vitulina). 2008. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. DOI: 10.1007/s00244-007-9092-3. abstract The cellular immunity of newborn harbor seals and the influence of pollutants are rarely investigated. This study evaluated the lymphocyte proliferation using a lymphocyte proliferation test (LTT) to understand the dynamics of immune response in seal pups of varying ages from the moment they arrived in a seal center after active beaching until their release into wildlife 3 months later after rehabilitation. Moreover, the effect of various metals (Ag, Al, Au, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, different Hg compounds, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Sn, Ti) on lymphocyte proliferation in terms of immunosuppression and hypersensitivity was investigated. First, a strong lymphocyte proliferation in newborns as a reflection of relative immunocompetence was found. Second, different metal-induced influences on lymphocyte proliferation such as specific inhibition by Be, Cd, Hg, and Sn as well as stimulation induced by Mo and Ni were determined. For seals tested repeatedly, the suppressive effect was detected in newborns but not found in the same animals when they were older and had become immunologically competent. Summarizing, the lymphocyte proliferation used as a marker in this investigation provided useful immunological information on these developing animals, and its application for toxicological studies on pollutants can be recommended. PDFs are available online at (online first): http://www.springerlink.com/content/100119/ Griesel, S.; Kakuschke, A.; Siebert, U.; Prange, A. Trace element concentration in blood of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Wadden Sea. 2008. The Science of the Total Environment.DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.10.062 abstract Concentrations of 23 elements (Be, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Sn, Pt, Pb) were evaluated in whole blood samples of live harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from two different locations in the Wadden Sea, the Lorenzenplate in Germany, and the Danish island Rømø. Elemental blood levels were compared to data from literature of seals, other marine mammals and humans. While homeostatically controlled elements showed no differences, concentrations of As, Cr, Mn, Mo, Se, and V were higher than human levels. Furthermore, animals from both locations showed significant geographical differences in whole blood concentrations of Al, Mn, Cu, and Pt. These findings could be explained by differences in feeding areas. The element pattern was not affected by gender. In conclusion, these findings indicate an impact of the environment on biochemical blood parameters of the harbor seals. The significant differences of elements in blood samples of two groups of seals, which were associated with geographical variations of prey support the use of element pattern in blood as tool for investigation of environmental impact on seals. PDFs are available online at (article in press): http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00489697 Please direct further questions to: Dr. Kakuschke, Antje Marine Bioanalytical Chemistry Institute for Coastal Research GKSS- Research Center Geesthacht Max-Planck-Strasse 1 D-21502 Geesthacht, Germany Phone: +49 (0) 4152 / 87 1839 Fax: +49 (0) 4152 / 87 1875 E-mail: antje.kakuschke@gkss.de http://www.gkss.de