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Skoko B, Kovačić M, Lazarus M, Sekovanić A, Kovačić J, Sergiel A, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Reljić S, Petrinec B, Selva N, Huber Đ. 90Sr and stable element levels in bones of brown bears: long-term trends in bear populations from Croatia and Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:32507-32522. [PMID: 36460888 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24397-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal trends and geographical differences in 90Sr and stable element (Ba, Ca, Mn, Sr, Pb, Zn) levels in the bones of Croatian and Polish brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations. Experimental data suggest that in the decades after nuclear weapon tests and the Chernobyl accident, 90Sr bone activity concentrations decreased from 352 to 11 Bq kg-1 in the Croatian bear population (period 1982-2015) and from 831 to 27 Bq kg-1 in Polish bears (period 1962-2020). Calculated effective and ecological half-lives were 9 and 13 years for Croatian bears, and 15 and 31 years for Polish bears, respectively. Different temporal trends were noted in levels of Ba, Mn, Pb and Zn between the two countries with majority of bones having lower Pb, Sr and Zn in Croatian than in Polish bears. Estimated values for the soil-to-bear transfer of 90Sr were the same order of magnitude in the studied populations. Contrary to this, the estimated transfer of stable Sr was an order of magnitude lower for the Croatian bear population compared to Polish bears. The observed differences in soil-to-bear transfer between stable Sr and 90Sr found for Croatian bears might suggest the need for careful consideration on the use of stable Sr data as an analogue for 90Sr. To our knowledge, this is the first study that analysed 90Sr activity in tissue of brown bears. As such, it provides insight into the fate and behaviour of one of the most relevant anthropogenic radionuclides at the top of the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Milica Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Slaven Reljić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova Ulica 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Đuro Huber
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova Ulica 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Nemoto Y, Oomachi H, Saito R, Kumada R, Sasaki M, Takatsuki S. Effects of 137Cs contamination after the TEPCO Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident on food and habitat of wild boar in Fukushima Prefecture. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 225:106342. [PMID: 32949874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
After the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident, wild boar was found to have greater radiocesium (137Cs) activity concentrations in their bodies than other wild animals in Japan; however, the reason for this remains unknown. To understand the mechanism of 137Cs transfer from the environment to wild boar, and the factors that affect variation in 137Cs contamination in wild boar, we sampled muscle and stomach contents from wild boar captured in Fukushima Prefecture and analyzed the relationships among 137Cs concentrations in muscle tissue and in the stomach contents, 137Cs ground deposition at capture sites, and wild boar food habits. Significant positive relationships were observed among 137Cs activity concentrations in muscle and stomach contents, as well as 137Cs deposition density at capture sites. These results suggest that 137Cs is transferred from the environment to plant and animal materials consumed by wild boar, and then from these foods to the bodies of wild boar through digestion. However, no correlation was observed between 137Cs concentrations in stomach contents and the presence of any particular food item in stomachs of wild boar, including mushrooms. These findings suggest mushrooms and underground food items, which were found to affect 137Cs concentrations in wild animals in Europe, were not important contributors to high levels of 137Cs contamination in Japanese wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Nemoto
- Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation, 10-2, Fukasaku, Miharu Town, Fukushima, 963-7700, Japan; Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1, Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8502, Japan.
| | - Hitoshi Oomachi
- Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation, 10-2, Fukasaku, Miharu Town, Fukushima, 963-7700, Japan; Fukushima Prefecture, 2-16, Sugitsumatyou, Fukushima, Fukushima, 960-8670, Japan
| | - Rie Saito
- Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation, 10-2, Fukasaku, Miharu Town, Fukushima, 963-7700, Japan
| | - Reiko Kumada
- Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation, 10-2, Fukasaku, Miharu Town, Fukushima, 963-7700, Japan
| | - Masataka Sasaki
- Azabu University, 1-17-71, Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan
| | - Seiki Takatsuki
- The Life Museum of Azabu University, 1-17-71, Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5201, Japan
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Whiteside TS, Brand AD, Aucott TJ, DiPrete DP. Improved field-portable system to measure Cs-137 in wildlife. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 223-224:106394. [PMID: 32861172 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We have developed an improved system to measure Cs-137 in wildlife at the Savannah River Site. This field-portable system consists of a shielded 5 cm by 10 cm by 40 cm NaI detector controlled by an Ametek Ortec Digibase. Measurement of an animal's radioactivity is made by placing the animal at a predefined location on the detector system for a one minute count-time. The counts, animal type, and animal weight are then used as inputs to an algorithm which calculates the amount of Cs-137 within the whole animal and within the edible meat portion of the animal. The results from these calculations are used to estimate the received dose from eating this animal and is included in the Savannah River Site's Hunter Dose Tracking System. This system has a detection limit of 0.60 pCi/g (22.20 Bq/kg) with a typical measurement uncertainty of less than 0.32 pCi/g (11.84 Bq/kg).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tad S Whiteside
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC 29808, United States of America.
| | - Alexander D Brand
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC 29808, United States of America.
| | - Timothy J Aucott
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC 29808, United States of America.
| | - David P DiPrete
- Savannah River National Laboratory, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC 29808, United States of America.
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Babić D, Skoko B, Franić Z, Senčar J, Šoštarić M, Petroci L, Avdić M, Kovačić M, Branica G, Petrinec B, Bituh T, Franulović I, Marović G. Baseline radioecological data for the soil and selected bioindicator organisms in the temperate forest of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:21040-21056. [PMID: 32266621 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide baseline radioecological data for the temperate forest ecosystem in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Emphasis was placed on the determination of naturally occurring radionuclides since there is an acknowledged lack of data for these radionuclides in non-accident conditions in wildlife, even for bioindicator organisms. Activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K, 134Cs, and 137Cs were measured by gamma spectrometry in soil and bioindicators: earthworms, conifer needles, mosses, and lichens. From the measured activity concentrations, concentration ratios were calculated to quantify the transfer of these radionuclides from soil to bioindicators. Our results show that soil activity concentrations are biased toward results from other studies conducted within the Dinaric mountain region. However, in moss and lichen samples, we measured higher activity concentrations of 226Ra and lower activity concentrations of 40K and 137Cs in comparison to similar studies. Also, we estimated lower concentration ratios for all radionuclides from soil to these organisms, except for 210Pb, in comparison to generic values. The transfer of 238U was generally low for all of the bioindicator organisms. For conifer needles, a correlation was found between activity concentrations of 226Ra and 137Cs in soil and related concentration ratios. Correlation was also found between the activity concentration of 40K in soil and transfer of 40K and 137Cs to mosses and lichens. A comparison with literature data highlighted the lack of 226Ra related concentration ratios for conifer trees and especially for earthworms. Therefore, the results of this study could supplement the sparse data currently available on radionuclide background data in similar ecosystems and related soil-to-wildlife transfer of radionuclides. Dose rate assessments, performed by the ERICA Tool, estimated that 96% of the overall exposure of wildlife in the Park area is due to the background dose rates, while 0.06 μGy h-1 on average can be attributed as an incremental dose rate from 134Cs and 137Cs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Zdenko Franić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasminka Senčar
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Šoštarić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ljerka Petroci
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mak Avdić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Milica Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gina Branica
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Iva Franulović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Marović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Lazarus M, Orct T, Sergiel A, Vranković L, Marijić VF, Rašić D, Reljić S, Aladrović J, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Zięba F, Jurasović J, Erk M, Maślak R, Selva N, Huber Đ. Metal(loid) exposure assessment and biomarker responses in captive and free-ranging European brown bear (Ursus arctos). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109166. [PMID: 32004830 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the level of five non-essential metal(loid)s (As, Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb) and nine essential metals (Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Mo) in hair and blood components of captive and free-ranging European brown bear populations in Croatia and Poland. Metal(loid) associations with biomarkers of oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, SOD; glutathione-peroxidase, GSH-Px; malondialdehyde, MDA) and metal exposure (metallothionein, MT) were estimated in this top predatory mammal. Lead was the most abundant non-essential metal(loid) in both blood and hair, with 4 of 35 individuals having blood levels over 100 μg/L. A positive association was found between Pb level and SOD activity in blood. Free-ranging bears had higher blood SOD activity, Mn, Zn and Cd levels, hair Co, Cd, Tl and Pb compared to captive individuals, while the opposite was true for Mg and hair Ca thereby reflecting habitat and diet differences. With increasing age, animals showed lower levels of SOD activity and certain essential metals. Females had higher SOD activity and blood levels of some essential metals than males. Hair showed a higher Fe and Co level when sampled during the growth phase and was not predictive of non-essential metal(loid) blood levels. The established metal(loid) baseline values will enable future risk assessment in both captive and wild European brown bear populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Lana Vranković
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Dubravka Rašić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Slaven Reljić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Jasna Aladrović
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | | | - Jasna Jurasović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Robert Maślak
- Institute of Environmental Biology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Đuro Huber
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland.
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Lazarus M, Gančević P, Orct T, Barišić D, Jerina K, Šprem N. Barbary sheep tissues as bioindicators of radionuclide and stabile element contamination in Croatia: exposure assessment for consumers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:14521-14533. [PMID: 30877528 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04507-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Muscle, liver and kidney of 21 Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) from Mosor Mountain, Croatia, were sampled to quantify the activity of caesium and potassium radionuclides and five toxic and ten essential stabile elements in order to establish reference values for this species and to evaluate the potential of Barbary sheep tissues to reflect environmental pollution. We also assessed seasonal diet (botanical composition and dry matter content) of Barbary sheep based on analyses of a rumen content of culled animals. None of the 19 plant species (mostly grasses) identified as part of the Barbary sheep diet is known as a stabile element or radionuclide hyperaccumulator. Measured levels reflected low environmental pollution with arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead, with levels generally less than those reported for wild herbivorous ungulates. Methodological differences (detection limit of elements in muscle) were shown to hamper interpretation and comparison of the Toxic Contamination Index (TCI) values with those published for other species. There was no homeostasis disturbance of trace elements in Barbary sheep, either due to inadequate intake via food or as an adverse effect due to a high toxic metal(loid) burden. Consumption of the muscle and liver of wild Barbary sheep can be considered safe for the health of adult consumers regarding toxic metal(loid)s and radioactive caesium, though the liver should be avoided as a food item in vulnerable population groups due to the possible adverse effects of cadmium and lead. Otherwise, muscle and liver are a rich source of copper, iron, selenium and zinc for consumers and, as such, can benefit the overall dietary intake of essential elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Lazarus
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Pavao Gančević
- Department of Fisheries, Beekeeping, Game Management and Special Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Delko Barišić
- Laboratory for Radioecology, Centre for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, PO Box 160, Bijenička 54, 10002, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Klemen Jerina
- Department of Forestry, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 83, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nikica Šprem
- Department of Fisheries, Beekeeping, Game Management and Special Zoology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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Small-scale spatial genetic structure of Alpine chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) in Northern Dinarides. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-019-1259-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Nemoto Y, Saito R, Oomachi H. Seasonal variation of Cesium-137 concentration in Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200797. [PMID: 30020989 PMCID: PMC6051634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To elucidate and reduce the risk of radionuclide contamination in wildlife caused by the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident, it is important to understand radionuclide variations in the wild animal population. Here, we used environmental monitoring data and muscle samples collected from Asian black bear (Ursus thibetanus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) from May 2011 to March 2016 to examine seasonal variation in radiocesium (137Cs) concentrations in muscle tissues (hereafter, muscle 137Cs) of these important game species in Fukushima Prefecture. We measured muscle 137Cs of bears and wild boars killed by hunters or in animal control culls. First, using a linear mixed model (LMM), we tested for a positive relationship between muscle 137Cs and 137Cs in the soil at the site of capture (hereafter, soil 137Cs) estimated from a soil 137Cs deposition map produced by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. In the LMM, muscle 137Cs was positively related to estimated soil 137Cs, which corroborates the results of previous studies. The LMM regression coefficients differed between the two species, with wild boar muscle 137Cs being higher than that of bears sampled at the same locations. We then employed a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) to estimate seasonal variation in the muscle 137Cs of the target species. GAMM showed that muscle 137Cs varied seasonally and that this seasonal variation also differed between the two species. In bears, muscle 137Cs decreased from spring to early autumn, before increasing in winter. Wild boar muscle 137Cs remained low during spring and summer and was high during autumn and early spring. These patterns are likely influenced by differences in diet, habitat use, and physiology between these two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Nemoto
- Research Department, Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation, Miharu Town, Fukushima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Rie Saito
- Research Department, Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation, Miharu Town, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Oomachi
- Research Department, Fukushima Prefectural Centre for Environmental Creation, Miharu Town, Fukushima, Japan
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Tucaković I, Barišić D, Grahek Ž, Kasap A, Širić I. 137Cs in mushrooms from Croatia sampled 15-30 years after Chernobyl. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 181:147-151. [PMID: 29150187 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to select species with higher potential to accumulate 137Cs among the available mushroom species, by determining the activity concentrations of 137Cs in mushrooms collected along north and north-western part of Croatia. A total of 55 samples of 14 different species were analyzed and the potential of mycorrhizal and saprotrophic species to accumulate 137Cs was compared. A wide range of the dry weight activity concentrations of 137Cs was detected, ranging from 0.95 to 1210 Bq/kg (154 Bq/kg mean value; 52.3 Bq/kg geometric mean) in mycorrhizal and 1.05-36.8 Bq/kg (8.90 Bq/kg mean value; 5.49 Bq/kg geometric mean) in saprotrophic species. Statistical analyses showed that mycorrhizal species accumulate significantly higher concentrations of 137Cs and thus could perform better as long-term bioindicators of environmental pollution by radiocaesium then saprotrophic species. The comparison of Boletus sp. and Hydnum repandum (both mycorrhizal species commonly found in Croatia) showed, in general order of magnitude, higher accumulation in Hydnum repandum. Clearly, mushrooms, especially mycorrhizal species, can be used as significant indicators even decades after the occurrence of any serious 137Cs contamination event. However, as a wide range of values indicates that various parameters may influence the total uptake of the 137Cs into the mushroom fruit bodies, it is necessary to emphasize that 137Cs activity detected in a single mushroom sample is very site-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Tucaković
- Laboratory for Radioecology, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, PO Box 160, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Delko Barišić
- Laboratory for Radioecology, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, PO Box 160, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željko Grahek
- Laboratory for Radioecology, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, PO Box 160, Bijenička cesta 54, 10002 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ante Kasap
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Širić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Lazarus M, Sekovanić A, Orct T, Reljić S, Kusak J, Jurasović J, Huber Đ. Apex predatory mammals as bioindicator species in environmental monitoring of elements in Dinaric Alps (Croatia). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:23977-23991. [PMID: 28879543 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0008-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Tissue element investigations of apex terrestrial mammals are very scarce in Europe. We quantified 16 essential and nonessential elements in the kidney cortex, liver, and muscle tissue of 467 brown bears (Ursus arctos), 125 gray wolves (Canis lupus), one Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and three golden jackals (Canis aureus) from Croatia by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Renal cadmium (0.6% of animals) and lead (1%) and hepatic lead (5%) were found in toxicologically relevant levels for mammals only in bears, while the other elements were within normal range. The association of age, sex, season, and region with measured tissue elements in bear and wolf was estimated by multiple regression analyses. Age-related accumulation of cadmium was observed in bears and wolves. Lead tissue content increased with the age of bears but declined in wolves. Female bears and wolves had higher arsenic, iron, and thallium than males in some tissues. Also, cadmium, mercury, copper, zinc, selenium, molybdenum, and uranium were more abundant only in female bears. Male bears had higher potassium, zinc, and magnesium, while male wolves had higher calcium in some tissues compared to female wolves. Seasonal differences were mainly observed for bears' tissues and region-specific differences only in wolves. The bear kidneys had the highest levels of cobalt, copper, molybdenum, cadmium, and lead among the four studied species. The element levels reported for bears and wolves represent baseline values for the Dinaric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Lazarus
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, P.O. Box 291, HR-10001, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, P.O. Box 291, HR-10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, P.O. Box 291, HR-10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Slaven Reljić
- Department of Biology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Kusak
- Department of Biology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasna Jurasović
- Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, P.O. Box 291, HR-10001, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Đuro Huber
- Department of Biology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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