Total mercury in small mammals from forest ecosystems (nearby Cherepovets, Vologda region)

Abstract

The aim of the research is to determine the total mercury (THg) in small mammals in forest ecosystems at a distance of 3 – 8 km from the boundaries of the industrial site of PJSC Severstal near Cherepovets, Vologda region. THg in the pelage and organs of the Ural field mouse (Apodemus uralensis, Pallas, 1811) varies from less than 0.001 to 0.56 mg/kg of dry weight (DW), the average maximum THg value was in the spleen (0.18 ± 0.07 mg/kg) and minimum in the muscles (0.02 ± 0.01 mg/kg). The content of THg in the pelage and organs of the common shrew (Sorex araneus, Linnaeus, 1758) varies from 0 to 4.57 mg /kg DW, the average maximum value of THg was in pelage (0.76 ± 0.15 mg / kg) and the average minimum in the liver (0.11 ± 0.01 mg /kg). The estimated mean THg level in the common shrew in the wet years 2021-2022 is lower than in the dry years 2009 and 2010. The reason for this is not clear. The results indicate the need for further investigation of changes in the total mercury content in the terrestrial ecosystem.