[Accumulation of mercuric selenide granules in the liver of Odontocetes (Mammifers, Cetacea): a possible method of detoxification of methylmercury by selenium].

In Mediterranean Cetaceans, concretions of pure mercuric selenide are found in the connective tissue of the liver. Their presence explains that high levels of mercury and selenium coexist with low level of methylmercury. The selenide could be produced parallel with demethylation of mercury, a process leading to the fossilization of mercury and partially of selenium under the form of a non biodegradable component.