Abstract
Contaminant monitoring in tissues of wild species can help in the knowledge not only of their health, but also of the environmental health conditions in the zones where they live. In this study, concentrations of toxic metals (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) and an essential metal (Zn) were measured in the hair of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) inhabiting in protected areas of South-Western Spain. Zn (69.02 ± 1.03 mg kg-1, 70.31 ± 2.22 mg kg-1), Pb (0.61 ± 0.05 mg kg-1, 0.68 ± 0.08 mg kg-1), and As (0.33 ± 0.03 mg kg-1, 0.53 ± 0.08 mg kg-1) were detected in the hair of red deer and wild boar, respectively. The other metals (Cd and Hg) were under the quantification limit (0.1 mg kg-1). No differences in the level of elements between both species were found. The levels of the detected elements in the hair showed low concentrations and similar to those observed in animals of the same species from unpolluted zones, reflecting a lack of contamination by these elements in the studied areas. Based on critical values of these elements established for organs of mammals, red deer and wild boar from the studied territories did not suffer toxicosis by the studied elements. Age-related differences in the content of As in the hair of red deer and age- and gender-related differences in the content of As in the hair of wild boar were detected, which should be considered for biomonitoring purposes. Finally, positive (Pb-As in both species) and negative (Zn-Pb in wild boar) interrelationships between elements were found.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Environmental science and pollution research international
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.