Abstract
BackgroundFree-living wild rodents are often used as zoomonitors of environmental contamination. In the present study, accumulation of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in critical organs of yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) and bank voles (Myodes glareolus) trapped in a polluted area in Nováky, Slovakia was investigated.MethodsYellow-necked mice (n = 8) and bank voles (n = 10) were collected using standard theriological methods for wood ecosystems. All animals were adult males in good physical condition. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn in the liver, kidney, and bone were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.ResultsThe highest concentrations of Cd and Zn were found in the bone of both species while Cu and Fe accumulated mainly in kidney or liver. Significant higher concentrations of Cd and Cu were detected in the liver of bank voles than in yellow-necked mice. Similar significant higher levels of Cd and Zn were found in the bone of bank voles. In contrast, significant higher concentrations of Cu and Fe were present in the kidney of yellow-necked mice.ConclusionsIn the yellow-necked mouse and bank vole, bone seems to accumulate Cd and Zn following prolonged exposure. On the contrary, kidney and liver store Cu and Fe after a long-term environmental exposure. In the present study, bank voles seemed to be more heavy metal loaded zoomonitors than yellow-necked mice.
Highlights
Free-living wild rodents are often used as zoomonitors of environmental contamination
The aim of the present study was to determine concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe and Zn in the liver, kidney and bone of yellow-necked mice and bank voles trapped in a polluted area in Nováky, Slovakia
Highest concentration of Cu was detected in the liver followed by bone and kidney while the hierarchy for Fe concentrations was liver > kidney > bone
Summary
Free-living wild rodents are often used as zoomonitors of environmental contamination. The importance of monitoring the exposure and studying the effects of heavy metals on living organisms has increased in the last decades. Mainly free-living wild rodents, have demonstrated an ability to accumulate a wide spectrum of pollutants [1,2]. Significant relations have been found between residues of metals in soil and in organs or tissues [1,3]. The patterns of heavy metal distribution in rodent tissues and their concentrations are similar to those found in humans. Rodents frequently serve as models for humans in ecotoxicology [4].
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