Trace Element Analysis of Hair of the Red Fox Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758) (Mammalia: Canidae) for Environmental Biomonitoring in Bulgaria

摘要

The aim of the study was to check the current load of the hair of red fox (Vulpes vulpes), inhabiting the forest mountain region of north-west Rila Mountains, south-western Bulgaria, with non-essential metals. We determined the content of trace metals with proven highly toxic effect on living organisms (Cd and Pb) as well as essential metals with concentration-dependent toxic effects (Cu, Zn, Ni, Co and Mn). Further, we explored whether these trace metals could be used for the purpose of environmental biomonitoring in Bulgaria. The concentrations of the elements were expressed as mg/kg of dried weight. The mean values of the average residual content of the studied heavy metals in hair of foxes were: Pb 4.65, Cd 0.20, Cu 13.05, Zn 149.53, Ni 0.87, Co 0.24 and Mn 6.34. The established basic statistical parameters and the +/- 95 % confidence interval of the residuals of the studied elements in the red fox hair enlarge the knowledge of this species as a zoomonitor to assess the state of the environment. The obtained results expand its range of applications for biomonitoring of the ecological status of ecosystems in specially protected areas, where the killing of the studied individuals is unacceptable.