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Exploring the Use of SEM–EDS Analysis to Measure the Distribution of Major, Minor, and Trace Elements in Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Teeth

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Abstract

Dolphin teeth contain enamel, dentin, and cementum. In dentin, growth layer groups (GLGs), deposited at incremental rates (e.g., annually), are used for aging. Major, minor, and trace elements are incorporated within teeth; their distribution within teeth varies, reflecting tooth function and temporal changes in an individual’s exposure. This study used a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to determine the distribution of major (e.g., Ca, P), minor (e.g., Cl, Mg, Na), and trace elements (e.g., Cd, Hg, Pb, Zn) in teeth from 12 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The objective was to compare elemental distributions between enamel and dentin and across GLGs. Across all dolphins and point analyses, the following elements were detected in descending weight percentage (wt %; mean ± SE): O (40.8 ± 0.236), Ca (24.3 ± 0.182), C (14.3 ± 0.409), P (14.0 ± 0.095), Al (4.28 ± 0.295), Mg (1.89 ± 0.047), Na (0.666 ± 0.008), Cl (0.083 ± 0.003). Chlorine and Mg differed between enamel and dentin; Mg increased from the enamel towards the dentin while Cl decreased. The wt % of elements did not vary significantly across the approximate location of the GLGs. Except for Al, which may be due to backscatter from the SEM stub, we did not detect trace elements. Other trace elements, if present, are below the detection limit. Technologies with lower detection limits (e.g., laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)) would be required to confirm the presence and distribution of trace elements in bottlenose dolphin teeth.

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Data Availability

Data for each dolphin is available in the Supplementary Information. Any data and images not published in this paper can be requested from Meaghan McCormack at mmccormack@txstate.edu.

Code Availability

Not applicable.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the Analysis Research Service Center (ARSC) at Texas State University, especially Jonathan Anderson and Brian Samuels, for training and use of the SEM-EDS. The ARSC JEOL SEM equipment purchase was made possible by Professor Tom Myers (startup funds), Emerging Technology Fund (grant), MSEC, Provost, and Research Service Center contributions. Teeth were provided by the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network under a NOAA parts authorization letter pursuant to 50 CFR 216.22. issued to Jessica Dutton. NOAA Disclaimer: The scientific results and conclusions, as well as any opinions expressed herein, are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the Department of Commerce. The mention of any commercial product is not meant as an endorsement by the Agency or Department.

Funding

Funding for this project was provided by the Texas State University Graduate College Doctoral Research Support Fellowship to Meaghan McCormack.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Texas State University, Aquatic Station, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA

    Meaghan A. McCormack & Jessica Dutton

  2. National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA

    Wayne E. McFee

  3. Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Galveston, TX, 77551, USA

    Heidi R. Whitehead & Sarah Piwetz

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  1. Meaghan A. McCormack
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  2. Wayne E. McFee
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Contributions

Meaghan A. McCormack: conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, funding acquisition, methodology, writing–original draft, writing–review and editing. Wayne E. McFee: data curation, methodology, formal analysis, writing–review and editing. Heidi R. Whitehead: sample acquisition, writing–original draft, writing–review and editing. Sarah Piwetz: sample acquisition, writing–original draft, writing–review and editing. Jessica Dutton: conceptualization, supervision, writing–original, draft, writing–review and editing.

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Correspondence to Meaghan A. McCormack.

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McCormack, M.A., McFee, W.E., Whitehead, H.R. et al. Exploring the Use of SEM–EDS Analysis to Measure the Distribution of Major, Minor, and Trace Elements in Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) Teeth. Biol Trace Elem Res 200, 2147–2159 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-021-02809-9

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