POSSIBLE GEOCHEMICAL LINKS TO INCISOR TOOTH BREAKAGE IN MOOSE (ALCES ALCES) IN THE CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDS, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA

Moose (Alces alces andersoni) in the Cape Breton Highlands of northern Nova Scotia have exhibited a high rate of incisor tooth weakening and increased incidence of fracture. Tooth breakage in moose is very rare and has only been previously reported in Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas), yet the cause remains uncertain. This study evaluates the hypothesis that there may be a relationship between incisor tooth brittleness and some nutritional factor related to unusual soil or water geochemistry in the Highlands. Broken incisor teeth have been compared with healthy ones from a control area. Fracture patterns were documented using microscopy, microphotography and electron microprobe imaging. The apatite in tooth enamel, and accompanying bony tissues have been analyzed chemically using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), Induced Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS), Electron Microprobe Microanalysis (EPMA) and Fission Track Uranium Mapping. Initial data suggest intriguing geochemical differences between healthy and broken teeth. Background and historical data, and the associated GIS data of bedrock and surficial geology, hydrology, mineral occurrence, any available geochemistry, radioactivity, elevation, precipitation, as well as other potentially relevant parameters of the region, have been compiled. Preliminary analysis of the data suggests a correlation between incisor tooth breakage and heavy metal concentrations, possibly related to acidity of the aqueous environment, which in turn affects moose nutrition.