Abstract
The dietary exposure to cadmium and lead of two ground-living species of small mammals,i.e., shrewsSorex araneus (Insectivora) and volesMicrotus agrestis (Rodentia), was investigated and related to metal loads in target organs (kidneys and liver). The study was done in two natural areas polluted with cadmium and lead originating from urban and industrial metal sources. The average intake of cadmium by the herbivorous voles varied between 0.1 and 0.4 μg/g/day and of lead between 2 and 10 μg/g/day. The carnivorous shrews showed a considerably higher metal intake rates,i.e., cadmium 3 to 16 μg/g/day and lead 19 to 53 μg/g/day, which was largely due to the consumption of contaminated earthworms (Oligochaeta). An average cadmium intake of 15 μg/g/day or a lead intake of 20 μg/g/day corresponded with critical renal metal loads of 120 μg/g for cadmium and 25 μg/g for lead, which are indicative of adverse health effects. The renal metal loads in shrews reached the critical level, but they remained far below this level in voles. The results indicate a greater risk of toxic exposure to cadmium and lead in soricine shrews than in microtine rodents.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Andrews SM, Johnson MS, Cooke JA (1984) Cadmium in small mammals from grassland established on metalliferous mine waste. Environ Pollut (A) 33:153–162
— (1989) Distribution of trace element pollutants in a contaminated grassland ecosystem established on metalliferous fluorspar tailings. 1: Lead. Environ Pollut 58:73–85
Badsha KS, Badsha SJ (1988) Factors affecting the seasonal heavy metal concentrations in upmoorland grass,Molinia caerulea andDeschampsia flexuosa. Chemosphere 17:451–458
Chmielnicka J, Halatek T, Jedlinska U (1989) Correlation of cadmium-induced nephropathy and the metabolism of endogenous copper and zinc in rats. Ecotoxicol Environ Safety 18:268–276
Faber J, Ma WC (1986) Observations on seasonal dynamics in diet composition of the field vole,Microtus agrestis, with some methodological remarks. Acta Theriol 31:479–490
Ferns PN (1976) Diet of aMicrotus agrestis population in south west Britain. Oikos 27:506–511
Hansson L (1971) Habitat, food and population dynamics of the field voleMicrotus agrestis (L.) in south Sweden. Viltrevy 8:267–378
Hunter BA, Johnson MS, Thompson DJ (1987) Ecotoxicology of copper and cadmium in a contaminated grassland ecosystem. I-III. J Appl Ecol 24:573–614
Ma WC (1987) Heavy metal accumulation in the Mole,Talpa europea, and earthworms as an indicator of metal bioavailability in terrestrial environments. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 39:933–938
— (1989) Effect of soil pollution with metallic lead pellets on lead bioaccumulation and organ/body weight alterations in small mammals. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 18:617–622
Ma WC, Edelman T, Van Beersum I, Jans T (1983) Uptake of cadmium, zinc, lead, and copper by earthworms near a zinc-smelting complex: influence of soil pH and organic matter. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 30:424–427
O'Neill DA, Robel RJ, Dayton AD (1983) Lead contamination near Kansas highways: Implications for wildlife enhancement programs. Wildl Soc Bull 11:152–160
Pernetta JC (1976) Diets of the shrewsSorex araneus L. andSorex minutus L. in Wytham Grassland. J Anim Ecol 45:899–912
Phillipson J, Sarrazin-Comans M, Stomatopoulos C (1983) Food consumption byMicrotus agrestis and the unsuitability of faecal analysis for the determination of food preference. Acta Theriol 28:397–416
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ma, Wc., Denneman, W. & Faber, J. Hazardous exposure of ground-living small mammals to cadmium and lead in contaminated terrestrial ecosystems. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 20, 266–270 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055914
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055914