Abstract
Simple SummaryToxic elements (TE) such as Be—beryllium, Al—aluminum, As—arsenic, Cd—cadmium, Sb—antimony, Ba—barium, Pb—lead, V—vanadium, Ni—nickel, Tl—thallium may negatively impact bone cells even at low concentrations. This is especially undesirable when they are released from the bone marrow. Therefore, in this study, the concentrations of TE in the bone marrow and bones of wild and farmed red deer were compared to evaluate the influence of the external environment on the absorption and accumulation of various harmful elements. The obtained results show that higher accumulation was detected only in the case of As, Ba, and Pb in the bones of the wild red deer, compared to the farmed group. In turn, higher levels of Al in the bone marrow and bones, as well as Cd in the bones were recorded in the farmed animals. Although the study involved animals living in an area that is regarded as being unpolluted, the concentrations of some heavy metals were higher than values reported from industrial regions.The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of toxic elements accumulated in the bone marrow and bones (Cervus elaphus). The studies were carried out on two groups of young stags: farmed (n = 6) and wild (n = 9). Their body weights were measured and bone and bone marrow samples were collected. The concentrations of toxic elements were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique. The mean aluminum content in the bone marrow and bones of the farmed animals was significantly higher than in the wild group (p < 0.05). The mean concentration of arsenic, barium and lead in the bones of the wild red deer was significantly higher than in the bones of the farmed animals (p < 0.05), while the cadmium concentration in the bones of the farmed red deer exceeded the value determined in the wild animals. A significant difference was found between the mean concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, barium, lead, vanadium and nickel in the bone marrow and bones of both red deer groups (p < 0.05). Although the study involved animals living in an uncontaminated area, the concentrations of some heavy metals were higher than values reported from industrial regions.
Highlights
Toxic elements (TE), e.g., Be, Al, As, Cd, Sb, Ba, Pb, V, Ni and Tl are transferred from the abiotic environment to living organisms and accumulate in biota at different trophic levels, thereby contaminating food chains/webs
The levels of Be, Cd, Sb, V, and Tl in the bone marrow of the red deer were below the limit of detection, likewise, as were the level of Be in the bones in the wild animals and Tl in the bones of both red deer groups
The mean concentration of Al in the bone marrow and bones in the farmed animals was significantly higher than in the wild individuals (p < 0.05), whereas the mean concentration of As in the bones was significantly higher in the wild red deer than in the farmed animals (p < 0.05)
Summary
Toxic elements (TE), e.g., Be (beryllium), Al (aluminum), As (arsenic), Cd (cadmium), Sb (antimony), Ba (barium), Pb (lead), V (vanadium), Ni (nickel) and Tl (thallium) are transferred from the abiotic environment to living organisms and accumulate in biota at different trophic levels, thereby contaminating food chains/webs. TE can enter the food chain and bioaccumulate in the hard and soft tissues or organs of animals and have a long half-life time in the organism. They exhibit a high potential to exert carcinogenic and teratogenic effects and cause renal and immune disorders [1,2]; investigations of their bioaccumulation and biomagnification potential are very important. Metals and metalloids are characterized by chemical persistence and resistance to metabolic transformation leading to elimination thereof from the organism Their chemical forms may change as they pass through the intestinal tract or during storage in animal tissues, they exhibit a high sorption affinity to living cells [3]. They can pose a high environmental risk for hosts in the trophic chain
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