engleski

Heavy Metals in Big Game Tissue in Croatia

Wild animals are continuously exposed to various pollutants in the environment. The aim of this study was to measure concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) in kidney and Pb and Zn in bone of red deer (Cervus elaphus), hunted in north-eastern region of Croatia, near Nature park of Kopački rit. Some animals were infected by Large American Liver Fluke (Fascioloides magna). Kidneys and mandibles of 57 red deer (17 males, 40 females), aged 0.6-10 years, were collected. Element contents were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The flame technique was used for the determination of Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe, the electrothermal technique for the determination of Pb, while the cold-vapour technique was used for determination of Hg. Results obtained showed that mean and range concentrations of toxic metals in kidney were 0.944 and 0.017-8.57 for Cd, 2.28 and 0.026-12.10 for Pb, 0.375 and 0.092-0.883 for Hg, while in bone, Pb concentrations were 0.490 and 0.056-3.00 mg/kg wet weight, respectively. In some kidney samples Cd, Pb and Hg exceeded tolerance limit set for this element in food (N.N, 11/01 and N.N, 46/94). Statistical analyses (ANOVA) showed no sex-related differences in accumulation of any element. No association between fascioloidiasis and tissue heavy metals concentrations was found, except for the slight and negative correlation with Cu. As expected, concentrations of toxic Cd in kidney and Pb in bone significantly increased with age of red deer. Kidney Zn also increased and Fe level decreased with age. Zinc concentrations in bone and Cu in kidney were not related to age. The values obtained were compared to similar data reported by authors from other European countries.

heavy metals; big game; tissue element concentrations

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