Bioaccumulation of Cadmium and Lead in Rodent Species from the Region of Lead-Zinc Smelting Factory – Plovdiv (South Bulgaria)
Journal Title: Ecologia Balkanica - Year 2016, Vol 8, Issue 1
Abstract
The levels of the toxic metals, Cd and Pb, were measured in liver of yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis Melchior, 1834), Mediterranean mouse (Mus macedonicus Petrov & Ružić, 1983) and common vole (Microtus arvalis Pallas, 1778) from the vicinity of Plovdiv (South Bulgaria), where the lead-zinc smelting factory is the main source of pollution. The study was carried out at three sites located along a pollution gradient. An unpolluted region, the Strandzha Natural Park was used as a background region. MANOVA analysis revealed significant differences by species (F=9.61, p=0.003), site (F=24.12, p=0.0001) and exposure (F=3.79, P=0.013) effects. Significant increase of Pb and Cd bioaccumulation was found along the pollution gradient. Cd and Pb mean concentrations were highest at the site closest to the smelter and decreased with increasing the distance from them. The bioaccumulation of Pb was significant highest in the individuals of the yellow-necked mouse, followed by Mediterranean mice and common voles, whereas the common voles accumulated more Cd in comparison with the yellow-necked-, and Mediterranean mice. However, there is little evidence of adverse cadmium-mediated effects in yellow-necked- and Mediterranean mice and this species may be tolerant to Cd exposure. High Cd concentrations in body organs may simply reflect an ability to store the metal in a nontoxic, metallothionein bound state. Liver Pb and Cd concentration did not differ significantly among sexes.
Authors and Affiliations
Hristo Dimitrov, Vesela Mitkovska, Valeri Tzekov, Tsenka Chassovnikarova
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP96154
- DOI -
- Views 143
- Downloads 0
Prerequisite for the Development of Ecotourism on the Territory of the Town of Zlatograd and Possible Environmental Issues
The basis for the development of ecotourism in Bulgaria is the tourist resource that provides a system of protected areas and historic cultural heritage. One of the key elements of ecotourism are the environmental p...
Relationships Between Plankton Primary Productivity, Biotic and Abiotic Variables of Carp Fish Ponds
Experiments measuring primary productivity, biotic and abiotic environmental factors in carp ponds were carried out within three consecutive years (2004, 2005 and 2006). The aim of the study was investigation of the rela...
Ecology of the Diatomic Flora in Thermo-Mineral Springs of Katlanovska Banja in the Republic Of Macedonia
Thermo-mineral waters have been attracting great attention in the world and in Republic of Macedonia lately, not only as a curative factor but also as an energy source. Thermo-mineral waters on the territory of the Repub...
Colour Variation of an Individual of Hart’s Rivulus (Rivulus hartii) found in a Habitat Rich in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Pitch Lake of Trinidad
Typical coloured [i]Rivulus hartii [/i]have been documented in South America and the twin island state of Trinidad and Tobago in habitats ranging from rock pools to slow moving streams. After repeated sampling at the Pit...
Inventory of Bryophytes in the “Bulgarka” Nature Park
This study reports data on the diversity of bryophytes in the Bulgarka Nature Park. The registered 55 species belonged to 23 families and 46 genera. Six species were with conservation status; 2 were assessed as Not Evalu...