ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Accumulation of Lead, Cadmium, Nickel, Iron,
Copper, and Zinc in Bones of Small Mammals
from Polluted Areas in Slovakia
Monika Martiniaková1, Radoslav Omelka2, Robert Stawarz3, Grzegorz Formicki3
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1Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia
2Department of Botany and Genetics, Constantine the Philosopher University, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia
3Institute of Biology, Kraków Pedagogical University, 31-054 Kraków, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2012;21(1):153-158
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The accumulation of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the
femora of four rodent species (Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus sylvaticus, Myodes glareolus, and Microtus
arvalis) trapped at different polluted areas in Slovakia (Kolíňany and Nováky) was investigated in the present
study. We detected the highest concentration of Pb in bones of A. sylvaticus from both polluted areas; however,
no significant changes between species were observed. In the femora of M. glareolus, the highest concentrations
of Cd, Ni, and Zn were detected at both areas. Significant differences were observed between A. flavicollis
and M. glareolus, M. glareolus and M. arvalis (for Cd concentration); and between M. glareolus and
remaining species (for Zn concentration). The highest concentration of Fe was found in bones of A. flavicollis
and M. glareolus from Nováky and Kolíňany areas, respectively. Significant differences (for Ni, Fe, and Cu
concentrations) were examined between A. flavicollis and A. sylvaticus, A. flavicollis and M. arvalis.
Although the highest concentration of Cu was found in bones of M. glareolus and A. flavicollis from Nováky
and Kolíňany areas, respectively, no significant differences between species were observed. Our results
demonstrate increased accumulation of some heavy metals (mainly Cd, Fe, Pb, and Zn) in the femora of small
mammals from both polluted areas in Slovakia in comparison with other polluted biotopes in Europe and thus
provide evidence of intensive environmental contamination. M. glareolus may be considered the most loaded
zoomonitor with heavy metal contamination as compared to other species.