Chromium is an important metal in industry, for example as additive in iron for stainless steel production.
Trivalent chromium (Cr3+) is required in trace amounts for sugar and lipid metabolism in humans and lack of Cr3+ may cause a disease called chromium deficiency. The hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) is however toxic and carcinogenic. The levels of chromium were generally low and more than 30% of the samples were below detection limit in the present survey.
There are no observations of regional or species difference in chromium levels.
Table: Levels chromium (Cr) in seabird muscles
| Species | Species | Species | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Levels in Brünnichs guillemot |
Levels in Common eider |
|
Levels in Common guillemot |
Levels in Northern fulmar |
Levels in Glaucous gull |
|
Levels in Herring gull |
Levels in King eider |
Levels in Black-legged kittiwake |
|
Levels in Little auk |
Levels in Atlantic puffin |
