Heavy metal contamination in organs of red deer ( Cervus elaphus) and wild boar ( Sus scrofa) and the effect on some trace elements

Abstract

In order to determine the contamination level for cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in free ranging red deer ( n = 50) and wild boar ( n = 118) in ‘The Veluwe’, a nature reserve in the central part of The Netherlands, concentrations of these metals were measured in liver and kidney. In addition relations between Cd and Pb concentrations and iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in these organs were studied. The levels of Cd and Pb in wild animals were higher than in farmed animals of the same age, especially in the kidneys. Kidney Cd and Pb concentrations were generally higher than concentrations in liver. However, in wild boar also high Pb concentrations were found. Unlike the kidney there was a saturation in liver Cd accumulation which might be due to an insufficient Cd binding capacity of the liver as the exposure to Cd persisted. There was a strong increase of the kidney Cd concentrations with age in red deer and wild boar, which indicates substantial chronic exposure to this metal. However, concentrations of Cd and Pb were not high enough to be toxic or to affect Fe, Cu, or Zn concentrations in the animal. Compared to other wildlife species in other countries, the kidney Cd concentrations were high in our animals; Pb concentrations in liver and kidney were about the same as Pb concentrations in wildlife in other countries. Because of the high contamination levels of red deer and wild boar from this study it was concluded that De Veluwe is a relatively highly contaminated area, resulting in liver and kidney which are unsuitable for human consumption.