Metal levels in body tissues, forage and fecal pellets of elk (Cervus elaphus) living near the ore smelters at Sudbury, Ontario

Natural enrichment of Cd and Tl in the bark of trees from a rural watershed devoid of point sources of metal contamination

To help understand the bioaccumulation of Cd and Tl in beaver tissue, we examined the enrichment of these metals in vegetation available to the animals. Bark was collected from 40 species of trees and shrubs, along with a complete soil weathering profile, within a small watershed devoid of trace metal contamination. Weathering resulted in a 5x enrichment of Cd in the soils relative to the underlying sediments, and a 6x Tl depletion: while Cd was lost from calcite and accumulates in the organic matter and oxyhydroxide fractions, Tl occurred only in the residual fraction. Soil processes alone, however, cannot explain the anomalous concentrations and enrichments of Cd in willow and poplar which contain up to 8.5 mg/kg Cd. The concentrations of Cd and Tl in the dissolved fraction (<0.45 μm) of the Wye River are similar (1.2 ± 0.4 and 1.6 ± 0.1 ng/L, respectively), and are taken to estimate their bioavailability in soil solutions. Normalizing the Cd/metal ratios in bark to the corresponding ratios in water yields the Stream Enrichment Factor: this novel approach shows that all plant species are enriched in Cd relative to Ni; 33 relative to Cu, 13 relative to Zn, and 7 relative to Mn. Thus, many plants preferentially accumulate Cd, especially willow and poplar, over these essential micronutrients. Clearly, the enrichment of Cd over Tl in bark is not a reflection of differences in bioavailability, but rather on the preferential uptake of Cd by the plants. The profound natural bioaccumulation of Cd in the bark of willow and poplar, the two favourite foods of the beaver, has ramifications for the use of these aquatic mammals as biomonitors of environmental contamination, as well as for the direct and indirect consumption of bark for traditional food and medicine.

Assessment of potential human health risk due to heavy metal contamination in edible finfish and shellfish collected around Ennore coast, India

This study aims to estimate anthropogenic sources of pollutants such as heavy metals that pollute or poison the commercial marine finfish and shellfish present around the Ennore coastal area and to identify, quantify and manage the associated risks for the betterment of society. The levels of toxic heavy metal concentrations from monitoring and surveillance of copper, chromium, cadmium, mercury, lead and zinc heavy metals were estimated from water, sediment and commercial marine finfish and shellfish samples that were collected for study. The individual mean bioaccumulation index (IMBI) and Metal Pollution Index (MPI) values varied between finfish and shellfish. Target hazard quotient (THQ) index values were calculated, and copper and zinc were found to be elevated at levels affecting children in particular. Thus, efforts are urgently needed to resolve the current and potential risks associated with the negative impact of heavy metal intake from seafood on human health. This study attempts to identify levels of metal contamination and corresponding risk factors with regard to human health.

Renal trace elements in barren-ground caribou subpopulations: Temporal trends and differing effects of sex, age and season

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are a culturally significant food resource for communities in northern Canada and Greenland. Many barren-ground caribou subpopulations are currently in decline, some dramatically; understanding the influence of stressors, such as toxic trace metals, is important. These contaminants enter Arctic terrestrial environments via atmospheric transport from industrialized areas and from local sources, accumulating there in the environment. Understanding how trace element concentrations interact and are influenced by caribou sex, age and season of collection is essential to evaluating trends in these elements over time and differences among subpopulations. We used path analysis to model the direct and indirect relationships between these variables in the Porcupine subpopulation and in barren-ground caribou from the Canadian Arctic and Greenland. Renal cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and mercury (Hg) varied significantly among subpopulations. Hg was positively correlated with Cd, Cu and selenium (Se) in female Porcupine caribou whereas Cd and Cu were negatively correlated in male Porcupine caribou. Age, season and sex influenced all three element concentrations and should be considered when comparing elements among caribou subpopulations or years. Renal Cd decreased slightly from the Canadian Western Arctic to Greenland and increased slightly over time, possibly reflecting patterns of atmospheric deposition. Renal Hg did not change significantly over time, and differences among subpopulations did not follow specific geographical patterns. Renal Cu declined over time, the changes being markedly different among subpopulations, sexes and seasons. This temporal decline is likely due to changes in diet, which could be driven by various environmental factors. Declining Cu concentrations in caribou is of concern as low levels could negatively affect reproductive success and therefore caribou at a population level. Continuing to monitor element concentrations in caribou is essential to better comprehend potential threats facing the species, and to promote food security in communities harvesting this important resource.

Trace elements exposure of endangered crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) under in situ and ex situ conservations

Crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), one of the rarest birds in the world, was almost extinct in the historically widespread areas partly due to the environmental pollution. Therefore, non-invasive indicators of feather, eggshell, and excrement were used to investigate the exposure of this endangered bird to eleven trace elements in this study. The results indicated that crested ibises under in situ and ex situ conservations were diversely exposed to trace elements, with higher exposure levels of As, Cd, and Mn in the wild, but higher exposure levels of Hg, Se, and Zn in the captive breeding center. In addition, concentrations of As, Co, Cr, and Ni were significantly greater in the sediments of three types of foraging habitats for wild crested ibis, but concentration of Se was greater in the soil of captive cages. Feather and eggshell of crested ibis exhibited a very consistent indication for most of the trace elements, and concentrations of almost all of the elements in the excrements were very consistent with the results in the environmental samples (sediments or soils). Concentrations of As, Hg, Mn, and Zn in feathers, and Mn and Zn in eggshells of wild and captive crested ibis were greater than those in other similar species. Moreover, As, Cd, Cu, and Mn concentrations in excrement of wild crested ibises were greater than that in captive individuals and other species, but Se and Zn concentrations in excrement of captive crested ibises were greater than that of the wild and other species. The present study provided evidence that both of the wild and captive crested ibis were exposed to trace elements, which may be harmful to their health.

Concentrations of cadmium and lead, but not zinc, are higher in red fox tissues than in rodents-pollution gradient study in the Małopolska province (Poland)

The main purpose of our research was to assess the chronic exposure of red foxes to Cd, Pb and Zn. We have determined concentrations of these metals in the kidney, liver and muscle of 36 red foxes hunted between December 2002 and March 2003 in differently polluted areas in southern Poland. Tissue concentrations of Pb and Cd in the red foxes significantly co-varied with concentrations of these elements in the soil, and differed between the tissues. We compared concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn in red foxes with two rodent species, Apodemus flavicollis and Myodes glareolus, trapped simultaneously in the same area. Concentrations of Pb and Cd appeared significantly higher in the red foxes than in the rodents, but the slopes of the relationship between metal concentrations in tissues and in soil were similar in all species. This indicates that extrapolation from results of monitoring studies conducted on rodents to mammalian carnivores is possible but requires applying an extrapolation factor.

Concentration and potential health risk of heavy metals in seafoods collected from Sanmen Bay and its adjacent areas, China

Commercial marine fish, crustacean, and mollusc samples were collected from Sanmen Bay and its adjacent areas to investigate the accumulation of heavy metals in various species of marine organisms and evaluate the potential health risk for local consumers. The results indicated significant variations in metal contents among species. The highest concentrations of studied metals were found in molluscs, followed by crustaceans and fish. The first metal group of arsenic (As), cadmium, copper, and zinc were associated by their relatively high concentrations in the tissues of marine organisms, whereas chromium, mercury, and lead were identified the other group with low concentrations. Human health risk evaluation indicated that the exposure doses of most elements for coastal people were safe, except for As, which scored a high total target hazard quotient and target cancer risk value. Potential health risk of heavy metal exposure from seafood consumption should not be ignored.

Conservation efforts of captive golden takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi) are potentially compromised by the elevated chemical elements exposure

Chemical elements exposure of endangered golden takins (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi) living in the Qinling Mountains and in a captive breeding center was assessed by analyzing fecal samples. Concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Se were significantly higher in the feces of captive golden takins than the wild. There was no significant difference in the fecal concentrations of Cd, Mn, Hg, Pb or Zn for wild and captive animals. The element concentration of fecal samples collected from captive animals varied seasonally, with concentrations being lowest in spring and highest in winter and/or autumn. The food provided to captive animals varied both in the composition and the concentration of element present. Consumptions of feedstuff and additional foods such as D. sanguinalis and A. mangostanus for the captive golden takins were identified as the possible sources of chemical element exposure. The estimations of dietary intake of most elements by captive takins were below the oral reference dose, except for As and Pb, indicating that As and Pb were the key components which contributed to the potential non-carcinogenic risk for captive golden takins. In conclusion, captive golden takins were exposed to higher concentrations of chemical elements compared with the wild, which were likely due to their dietary difference. Conservation efforts of captive golden takin are potentially compromised by the elevated chemical element exposure and effort should focus on providing uncontaminated food for captive animals.

Can red deer antlers be used as an indicator of environmental and edible tissues' trace element contamination?

Venison is an attractive product for consumers concerned with healthy lifestyle; however, it can contain high levels of toxic elements, and therefore, it is a possible source of hazardous contaminants in human diet. Antlers are suitable bioindicators of environmental metal contamination, and herein, we assessed the ability of trace element levels in antlers to indicate levels in edible soft tissues. We determined the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in the liver, kidney, muscle, and antlers of 14 free-ranging red deer (Cervus elaphus) from northeastern Poland using atomic absorption spectrometry. We found the highest concentrations of Pb (0.321 ± 0.165 mg/kg), As (0.045 ± 0.074 mg/kg), Zn (105.31 ± 16.33 mg/kg), and Fe (220.92 ± 117.18 mg/kg) in antlers; of Cd (4.974 ± 1.90 mg/kg) and Hg (0.048 ± 0.102 mg/kg) in kidney; and of Cu (7.29 ± 7.02 mg/kg) in the liver. A positive relationship between concentrations in antlers and muscle was found only for Cu (p = 0.001), and it therefore appears that red deer antlers cannot be used as an index for element concentrations in soft tissues. While our results confirm that the Mazury region is little polluted, consumption of red deer offal from this area should be limited according to extant legal limits set for livestock consumption.

Expression of metallothionein in the liver and kidneys of the red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) from an industrial metal smelting area of Poland

The metallothionein 1 (MT1) coding sequence of red deer was identified and compared to orthologous sequences from other mammals. Over 90% identity was observed between red deer MT1 amino acid sequence and MT1 sequences of other ruminants. Liver and kidney samples of red deer were collected from the industrial zinc smelting site of Miasteczko Slaskie and from the Masuria Lake District serving as a pollution-free control site. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrometry technique (AAS). The levels of Cd in the liver of red deer from the metal smelting region was about 8 times higher than for the reference control site. Next, the expression of MT1 mRNA in the liver of red deer was quantified by the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the expression of MT1/2 protein in the liver and kidneys was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Positive correlations were found between expression levels for MT1 mRNA and the concentrations of Cu and Zn in liver of red deer, and with the age of animals. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the nuclear and cytoplasmatic expression in both liver and kidney tissues, but with no obvious relationship shown for the expression of MT1/2 protein and tissue metal levels. Our results showed that the analysis of MT expression levels in the red deer could not be used independently as a biomarker for identifying exposure to Cd, but could be co-analyzed with tissue metal levels to give better prognosis for environmental exposure to metals.

Highway increases concentrations of toxic metals in giant panda habitat

The Qinling panda subspecies (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) is highly endangered with fewer than 350 individuals inhabiting the Qinling Mountains. Previous studies have indicated that giant pandas are exposed to heavy metals, and a possible source is vehicle emission. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, Hg, and As in soil samples collected from sites along a major highway bisecting the panda's habitat were analyzed to investigate whether the highway was an important source of metal contamination. There were 11 sites along a 30-km stretch of the 108th National Highway, and at each site, soil samples were taken at four distances from the highway (0, 50, 100, and 300 m) and at three soil depths (0, 5, 10 cm). Concentrations of all metals except As exceeded background levels, and concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cd decreased significantly with increasing distance from the highway. Geo-accumulation index indicated that topsoil next to the highway was moderately contaminated with Pb and Zn, whereas topsoil up to 300 m away from the highway was extremely contaminated with Cd. The potential ecological risk index demonstrated that this area was in a high degree of ecological hazards, which were also due to serious Cd contamination. And, the hazard quotient indicated that Cd, Pb, and Mn especially Cd could pose the health risk to giant pandas. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that the highway was the main source of Cd, Pb, and Zn and also put some influence on Mn. The study has confirmed that traffic does contaminate roadside soils and poses a potential threat to the health of pandas. This should not be ignored when the conservation and management of pandas is considered.

"Is it still safe to eat traditional food?" Addressing traditional food safety concerns in aboriginal communities

Food insecurity is a growing concern for indigenous communities worldwide. While the risk of heavy metal contamination associated to wild food consumption has been extensively studied in the Arctic, data are scarce for the Boreal zone. This study addressed the concerns over possible heavy metal exposure through consumption of traditional food in four Anishnaabeg communities living in the Eastern North American boreal forest. Liver and meat samples were obtained from 196 snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) trapped during winter 2012 across the traditional lands of the participating communities and within 56-156km of a copper smelter. Interviews were conducted with 78 household heads to assess traditional food habits, focusing on snowshoe hare consumption. Concentrations in most meat and liver samples were below the detection limit for As, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb. Very few meat samples had detectable Cd and Hg concentrations, but liver samples had mean dry weight concentrations of 3.79mg/kg and 0.15mg/kg respectively. Distance and orientation from the smelter did not explain the variability between samples, but percent deciduous and mixed forest cover had a marginal negative effect on liver Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations. The estimated exposition risk from snowshoe hare consumption was low, although heavy consumers could slightly exceed recommended Hg doses. In accordance with the holistic perspective commonly adopted by indigenous people, the nutritional and sociocultural importance of traditional food must be considered in risk assessment. Traditional food plays a significant role in reducing and preventing serious health issues disproportionately affecting First Nations, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Exposure of the endangered golden monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) to heavy metals: a comparison of wild and captive animals

Golden monkeys are endemic to China and of high conservation concern. Conservation strategies include captive breeding, but the success of captive breeding programs may be being compromised by environmental pollution. Heavy metal exposure of wild and captive golden monkeys living in the Qinling Mountains was assessed by measuring fecal metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Captive monkeys were exposed to higher concentrations of As, Hg, Pb, and Cr than monkeys living in the wild, while high background levels of Mn led to high exposure of wild monkeys. Seasonal variations in metal exposures were detected for both wild and captive monkeys; possible reasons being seasonal changes in either diet (wild monkeys) or metal content of food (captive monkeys). Coal combustion, waste incineration, and traffic-related activities were identified as possible sources of heavy metals exposure for captive animals. Efforts to conserve this endangered primate are potentially compromised by metal pollutants derived from increasing anthropogenic activities. Providing captive animals with uncontaminated food and relocating captive breeding centers away from sources of pollution will reduce pollutant exposure; but ultimately, there is a need to improve environmental quality by controlling pollutants at source.

Beavers indicate metal pollution away from industrial centers in northeastern Poland

Heavy metals are persistent environmental contaminants, and wild animals are increasingly exposed to the harmful effects of compounds of anthropogenic origin, even in areas distant from industrial centers. We used atomic absorption spectrometry to determine levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in liver and kidney of wild Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in Poland. Cd concentrations in liver (0.21 ± 0.44 μg/g) and in kidney (2.81 ± 4.52 μg/g) were lower in juvenile than in adult beavers. Pb concentrations in liver (0.08 ± 0.03 μg/g) and kidney (0.08 ± 0.03 μg/g) were similar among all individuals, while both Cu and Zn levels were higher in liver (Cu 9.2 ± 4.5 μg/g; Zn 35.7 ± 3.5 μg/g) than in kidney (Cu 3.7 ± 1.1 μg/g; Zn 21.5 ± 2.7 μg/g). Cu levels also differed between juveniles and adults. We reviewed the literature reporting metal concentrations in beavers. Our results indicate metal contamination in beavers away from important industrial emission sources and suggest the natural environment should be regularly monitored to ensure their levels are below recommended, legal values.

Faecal excretion dynamic during subacute oral exposure to different Pb species in Rattus norvegicus

Faecal excretion is a basic means of detoxification upon ingestion of Pb-contaminated feed. In order to determine a time course of Pb elimination after oral exposure to two different forms of this heavy metal (lead acetate vs. phyto-bound Pb), a feeding study was carried out in experimental rats using the Pb phyto-hyperaccumulator Pistia stratiotes as a model diet. The effect of starvation on Pb excretion was further studied in rats that were fed plant material. Twelve Pb doses (7 μg Pb/1 g BW) were administered orally over a 5-week period. Faeces samples were collected 24 and 72 h post-exposure. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and electrothermal absorption spectrometry methods were used for determination of heavy metal concentrations. Up to 53 % of ingested Pb was rapidly eliminated from the exposed rats via faeces within 24 h after exposure. Faecal excretion in exposed rats differed significantly when compared to that of the control group. Fasting before exposure reduced Pb excretion by up to 50 %. Faecal excretions of both examined Pb forms exhibited almost identical patterns. Considerable differences were revealed concerning total excretion levels; lead acetate was excreted in amount greater extent than those of phytobound Pb. Results of our study suggest that Pb forms occurring in the P. stratiotes tissues are absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract to a greater extent than Pb from lead acetate. Therefore, higher portions of ingested Pb can be available for potential accumulation in tissues of exposed subjects.

Assessment of trace elements in animal tissues from Turkey

In this study, trace element contents of animal tissues were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion method. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by analysis of standard reference material (NIST SRM 1577b Bovine Liver). Trace element contents in animal tissue samples were found in the range of 98.3-18.2 μg/g (Fe), 2.89-0.26 μg/g (Mn), 23.9-4.54 μg/g (Zn), 0.08-0.01 μg/g (Pb), 32.9-1.66 μg/g (Cu), and 0.32-0.01 μg/g (Cd). The results were compared with literature values. The results obtained for toxic and trace elements in analyzed animal tissue samples were acceptable to human consumption at nutritional and toxic levels.

Should legislation regarding maximum Pb and Cd levels in human food also cover large game meat?

Game meat may be contaminated with metals and metalloids if animals reside in anthropogenically polluted areas, or if ammunition used to kill the game contaminates the meat. Muscle tissue from red deer and wild boar shot in Ciudad Real province (Spain) in 2005-06 was analysed for As, Pb, Cu, Zn, Se and Cd. Samples were collected from hunting estates within and outside an area that has been historically used for mining, smelting and refining various metals and metalloids. Meat destined for human consumption, contained more Pb, As and Se (red deer) and Pb (boar) when harvested from animals that had resided in mined areas. Age related accumulation of Cd, Zn and As (in deer) and Cd, Cu and Se (in boar) was also observed. Two boar meat samples contained high Pb, at 352 and 2408 μg/g d.w., and these were likely to have been contaminated by Pb ammunition. Likewise, 19-84% of all samples (depending on species and sampling area) had Pb levels > 0.1 μg/g w.w., the EU maximum residue level (MRL) for farm reared meat. Between 9 and 43% of samples exceeded comparable Cd limits. Such data highlight a discrepancy between what is considered safe for human consumption in popular farmed meat (chicken, beef, lamb), and what in game may often exist. A risk assessment is presented which describes the number of meals required to exceed current tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) for Pb and Cd, and the potential contribution of large game consumption to such intake limit criteria.

Validation of a Method for the Determination of Total Chromium in Rat Feces by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry

The validation of a method for the determination of total chromium in Fischer-344 rat feces by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry following a rapid, atmospheric-pressure microwave digestion is described. The performance of the method was evaluated over the concentration range of 5.00 to 200 μg Cr/g feces. Data for method linearity, accuracy, precision, digest stability, and storage stability are presented along with limit of detection and limit of quantitation data. Data from a cross-validation method for B6C3F1 mouse feces are also presented. Following validation, the method was applied to analyze samples collected in support of two chronic toxicological investigations.

Heavy metal exposure in large game from a lead mining area: effects on oxidative stress and fatty acid composition in liver

The Pb mining area of the valley of Alcudia and the Sierra Madrona mountains (S. Spain) has been exploited intermittently for over 2100 years, since Roman occupation and up until the late 1900s. Red deer (n=168) and wild boar (n=58) liver and bone (metacarpus) were analyzed for Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, As and Se. Lipid peroxidation, total and oxidized glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH peroxidase (GPX) and fatty acid composition were studied in liver of red deer. The concentrations of Pb in liver and bone of red deer and wild boar were higher in the mining area than in the control area, and higher in the wild boar than red deer, but well below the level associated with clinical signs of Pb poisoning. Liver levels of Cu, Cd and Se were also higher in red deer from the mining area. Red deer from the mining area had 39% less total GSH than in the control area. The percentage of docosahexaenoic acid in liver of red deer from the mining area was 16% lower than in the control area.

Transfer of metals to plants and red deer in an old lead mining area in Spain

Lead mining in the Sierra Madrona mountains and the valley of Alcudia in Southern Spain began in the 1st millennium B.C., and the area was intermittently exploited up until the end of the 20th century. The degree of contamination by Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, As and Se of soil, water and sediment, and the transfer to 13 species of plants, and then to red deer (Cervus elaphus) have been studied. Mined areas had higher concentrations in stream sediments than control areas. The highest concentrations were observed for Pb (1481 microg g(-1) d.w.) and As (1880 microg g(-1)) in the sediment of a stream flowing beside the spoil dump at Mina de Horcajo. Plants from mining sites contained consistently higher levels of Pb and As, and their concentrations in plants were correlated. The highest concentrations of Pb were in Gramineae (Pb: 97.5, As: 2.4 microg g(-1) d.w.), and the lowest in elmleaf blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius). The highest mean liver concentrations were found in red deer from the mining sites for Pb (0.805 microg g(-1) d. w.), Cd (0.554 microg g(-1)), Se (0.327 microg g(-1)), and As (0.061 microg g(-1)), although these were well below the levels associated with clinical poisoning.

Toxic and essential metal concentrations in four tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Baranja, Croatia

Kidney (n = 297), liver (n = 52), jawbone (n = 80) and muscle (n = 48) samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus) from north-eastern Croatia in the 2002--05 hunting season were analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical evaluation of results showed age-related accumulations of renal cortex Cd and Zn, bone Pb, and muscle Zn. Renal cortex Cd and Zn were significantly associated. In addition, concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue were significantly correlated with Fe content. Found levels of toxic metals were not likely to affect the health status of animals. A total of 49% of the muscle, 60% of the kidney and 6% of the liver samples were unsuitable for human consumption according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. However, the calculated intake of Cd through deer meat consumption is small and represents no health risk when consumption is moderate.

Concentrations of heavy metals in the tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from the region of Warmia and Mazury, Poland

Cadmium, lead, copper and zinc were quantified using a validated ICP/MS method in the tissues and organs of 82 specimens of red deer of different sexes and ages, which had been hunted at the Great Lakes Land region in the north-eastern of Poland in 2000-01. Copper and zinc occurred in liver, kidney and muscle tissue of red deer at concentrations of 6.4-29, 3.3-7.2 and 1.9-6.4, and of 19-43, 17-41 and 19-64 mg kg(-1), respectively, which are considered typical for the species, age and gender compared with values noted for some other wild and domestic ruminant species elsewhere. For cadmium and lead, the concentrations decreased in the order kidney > liver > muscle tissue, with overall means of 2.2, 0.19, and 0.10, 0.31, and 0.26, 0.22 mg kg(-1) wet weight, respectively. The cadmium content of the kidney of a proportion of red deer sampled exceeded the legal tolerance limits set in Poland. The means (but not individual animal data) obtained for cadmium in kidney and liver correlated (0.99) with the age of red deer. Also, the lead content of the muscle meat of red deer for many carcasses exceeded the legal limit, which was probably due to contamination from the fine dust particle remains from the lead bullets used.

Trace elements accumulation and their variations with growth, sex and habitat: effects on Formosan squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus)

Formosan squirrels are considered a useful bio-indicator because their habitat exists within that of humans. Therefore, concentrations of 19 trace elements were determined in tissues of this species for assessment of environmental pollution in urban Kamakura and rural Izuohshima. Results of analyses revealed high Cu concentrations in the livers of Formosan squirrels. Moreover, concentrations of some trace elements from automobile exhausts-V, Zn, Cu and As-in the specimens from Kamakura were higher than those from Izuohshima. These results reflect the presence of pollution caused by human activities in Kamakura.

Metal partitioning and uptake in central Ontario forests

Evaluation of the potential environmental risk posed by metals depends to a great extent on modeling the fate and mobility of metals with soil-solution partitioning coefficients (Kd). However, the effect of biological cycling on metal partitioning is rarely considered in standard risk assessments. We determined soil-solution partitioning coefficients for 5 metals (Cd, Zn, Pb, Co and Ni) at 46 forested sites that border the Precambrian Shield in central Ontario, where soil pHaq varied from 3.9 to 8.1. Foliage from the dominant tree species and forest floor samples were also collected from each site to compare their metal levels with Kd predictions. Analogous to other studies, log Kd values for all metals were predicted by empirical linear regression with soil pH (r2=0.66-0.72), demonstrating that metal partitioning between soil and soil solution can be reliably predicted for relatively unpolluted forest mineral soils by soil pH. In contrast, whereas the so-called bioavailable water-soluble metal fraction could be predicted from soil pH, metal concentrations in foliage and the forest floor at each site were not consistently related to pH. Risk assessment of metals should take into account the role of biota in metal cycling and partitioning in forests, particularly if metal bio-accumulation and chronic toxicity in the food chain, rather than metal mobility in soils, are of primary concern.