Abstract
We analyzed the lead content in antlers of 90 adult European roe bucks (Capreolus capreolus) that had been culled between 1901 and 2019 in an agricultural-dominated hunting district in Lower Saxony (Northern Germany). Antler lead values ranged between 0.2 and 10.9 mg/kg dry weight. Median lead concentration was highest after World War II, during a period (1956–1984) of rapidly increasing mass motorization and use of leaded gasoline. Lead levels in antlers decreased markedly after the phase-out of leaded gasoline, but high values were still found in some recently collected antlers. This could indicate persistent lead pollution from former use of lead additives to gasoline, other traffic-related sources, or from agricultural sources (e.g., sewage sludge, fertilizers). This study highlights the suitability of analyzing roe deer antlers for the historical monitoring of changing lead levels in the environment. By collecting antlers and providing them for study, local hunters can significantly contribute to environmental surveillance and the monitoring of environmental pollution by bone-seeking contaminants.
Highlights
Lead (Pb) is a metal that has no physiological function and is toxic even at low concentrations (Ewers and Schlipköter 1991; Pattee and Pain 2003; Ma 2011; Caito et al 2017; Maret 2017)
The present paper reports lead concentrations in the antlers of European roe deer that had been culled in a hunting district in Northern Germany over a period of 119 years (1901–2019)
Our study revealed a marked drop in overall lead concentration in roe deer antlers from the study area following the introduction of unleaded gasoline in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in October 1984
Summary
Lead (Pb) is a metal that has no physiological function and is toxic even at low concentrations (Ewers and Schlipköter 1991; Pattee and Pain 2003; Ma 2011; Caito et al 2017; Maret 2017). Various mammalian organs and organ systems are affected by lead toxicity, the most severe impacts concerning the nervous and hematopoietic systems and the kidneys (Ma 2011; Caito et al 2017; Maret 2017). Lead mining dates back to at least the 4th millennium BC, and Pb mining and smelting activities were widespread in ancient Greek and Roman societies (Retief and Cilliers 2005). The emissions from ancient Greek and Roman lead and silver mining and smelting activities caused widespread. Compared to the pre-industrial period, the production and anthropogenic discharge of lead dramatically increased during the industrial age, with a steep rise in the second half of the twentieth century (Cullen and McAlister 2017). The drastically increased discharge of lead from human activities led to widespread lead pollution of the environment on a global scale, with the highest levels of contamination near urbanindustrial areas (Nriagu 1990; Hernberg 2000)
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