Cadmium; Lead, and Mercury Concentrations in Tissues of Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) from Lowland Croatia

摘要

Cadmium, lead, and mercury concentrations were determined in roe deer and wild boar tissues (muscle, liver, kidney)of three different age groups from lowland Croatia. Cadmium concentrations in the examined tissues increased withage in both species, being the highest in the kidney, and higher in roe deer as compared to wild boar. Lead concen-tration was higher in younger animals in comparison with both older groups. Contrary to the expectations, roe deertissues revealed mostly higher lead concentrations than those of wild boar. Mercury concentration in the tissues ofthe animals examined was relatively low and no correlation with age was found. However, mercury concentration washigher in kidney than in liver with both species. Wild boar had higher mercury concentrations in tissues than roedeer in all age groups. Cadmium and mercury concentrations in both species from lowland Croatia are comparableto those given in similar studies in other European countries, while lead concentration was lower in wild boar andhigher in roe deer tissues than those in the same species from European countries. From the hygienic point of view,the muscle samples from roe deer and wild boar were edible as the concentrations of cadmium and lead did not exceedthe values prescribed by the official regulations. However, cadmium concentration in liver exceeded the prescribedvalues in one fifth of all samples while lead concentrations were lower than the allowed concentrations. Most kidneysamples from both animal species contained cadmium exceeding the recommended concentrations, while lead con-centrations in all samples did not exceed the official value regulation. Mercury concentrations are no longer (since2008) a matter of legislative.