Heavy metals and other elements in faeces of wild ruminants in the area of paper mill industry
Abstract
This study compared the content of heavy metals and other elements in faeces of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Mních Hill (closely located to paper mill factory), Ružomberok, and in Jastrabá, mid Slovakia (control locality). Together 130 samples were collected, dried, milled and analysed by XRF spectroscopy. Results showed that throughout the year potassium, chromium, iron, barium, and lead (K, Cr, Fe, Rb, Ba Pb) were present in higher concentrations in red deer than in roe deer. Sulpher, calcium, copper and molybdenum (S, Ca, Cu, Mo) concentrations were higher in autumn than in winter, and throughout the year they were at higher levels in the town of Ružomberok compared to the Jastrabá area. Inverse interrelations among some clusters of elements were revealed: in autumn, Cu, Zn, and Pb all increased and Cl and K decreased, while in winter, CL and K increased and Cu, Zn, and Pb decreased. Both Cl and Mo as well as Ca and Zn ratios increased in autumn, and Ca and Zn ratios decreased in winter. The ratio of Cl and Mo to Ca and Zn was higher in roe deer than in red deer throughout the year. Lead values were higher in autumn compared to winter.© PRUNELLA Publishers
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