Organochlorine and heavy-metal contaminants in wild mammals and birds of Urbino-Pesaro Province, Italy: an analytic overview for potential bioindicators.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol
; 51(1): 123-34, 2006 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16418892
ABSTRACT
Tissue samples from 56 bird and 11 mammal species of different trophic levels, collected from 1994 to 1995 from the Urbino-Pesaro area in the Marche region of central Italy, were analyzed for the presence of organochlorine compounds (polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p'-DDE) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg). Results revealed interspecies differences in pollutant residue concentrations. A clear relationship between contaminant and trophic levels emerged depending on several factors specific to the chemicals and the organisms, the importance of dietary accumulation, and metabolic capacity as it increased toward higher trophic levels. Polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p'-DDE were found in all of the bird and mammal species analyzed (bird- or fish-eating birds), and insectivore mammals showed the highest level of these contaminants. Pb and Hg residues were also widely detected and reflected trophic-level differences. The highest concentration of Pb was found in herbivorous or bird-eating aquatic invertebrates and in insectivorous mammals, particularly in the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), whereas the highest Hg levels were found in fish-eating birds. All of the other heavy metals were detected at low concentrations and represented background levels for birds and mammals, with the exception of increased amounts of Cd and Cr, respectively, found in stone marten (Martes foina) and fox (Vulpes vulpes). Data from this study provided information on baseline levels of interest to monitor status and trends in chemical residue in biota in this specific area, and therefore they represent a tool to evaluate potential ecologic, wildlife, and human health exposure.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Birds
/
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
/
Metals, Heavy
/
Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene
/
Mammals
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol
Year:
2006
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy