Concentration of cadmium, mercury, zinc, copper and cobalt in the tissues of wild boar(Sus scrofa) hunted in the western Slovakia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to monitor accumulation of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) in the muscle, liver and kidney of wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) from hunting place of western Slovakia and the correlations among the observed elements. A total of 120 samples were involved for analyses by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The significantly highest accumulation of Cd in the kidney followed by the liver and muscles was found. Zn accumulated mainly in the liver. Significantly lower values were found in the kidney followed by the muscle. The concentration of Cu was significantly lowest in the muscle when compared to the liver and kidney. Hg and Co accumulated mainly in the kidney, followed by the liver and muscle of wild boars, but without significant differences. In the muscle of wild boar moderately positive correlation between Zn and Cu (r = 0.59), Cd and Co (r = 0.51), Cu and Co (r = 0.33), and Zn and Hg (r = 0.36) were found. In the liver moderately positive correlation between Cd and Hg (r = 0.39) was detected. Moderately positive correlation between Zn and Cu (r = 0.40) was noted for the kidney.

Concentrations of some toxic and trace elements in wild boar (Sus scrofa) organs and tissues in different areas of the Province of Viterbo (Central Italy)

“…Nevertheless, we observed lower values than those reported by Hernández et al (1985) for cadmium in muscle (geometric means of 0.07 vs 0.12 mg Cd kg -1 w.w.) or in liver (geometric means of 0.067 vs 0.45 mg Cd kg -1 w.w.). Our data also show lower values than those reported by Gasparik et al (2012) who reported 0.16 and 3.22 mg Cd kg -1 w.w. as the mean values for muscle and kidney, respectively, and those reported by Wolkers et al (1994) who reported a median cadmium concentration of 2.05 mg kg -1 d.w. (dry weight) in liver samples of wild boar aged 1.5-5 years. Adopting a conversion factor of 3.4, the cadmium concentration reported by Wolkers et al (1994) corresponds to 0.60 mg kg -1 w.w., which is 10 times greater than the median (0.067 mg kg -1 w.w.) observed in our study.…”

“…Considering the kidney samples analyzed, the average contamination was variable in samples from ACQ, MTI and MTO, approximately 40 mg Zn kg -1 w.w. in GRA, decreased to 30 mg Zn kg -1 w.w. in MNO, and decreased further to approximately 20 mg Zn kg -1 w.w. for the samples from NE (P<0.01). Falandysz (1994) reported average wild boar muscle values of 28-37 mg Zn kg -1 w.w. with a range oscillating between 4.3 and 130 mg Zn kg -1 w.w. Gasparik et al (2012) reported a mean value of 28.20 mg Zn kg -1 w.w.. These average data are lower than those reported in our study; however, they have a wider range (Table 3).…”

“…The mean values recorded in the liver samples from the ACQ and MTI areas were significantly higher than those for the other 4 areas; however, these results are comparable with those observed in Sardinian wild boars by Mandas (2005) who reported mean values ranging between 0.38 and 0.58 mg Cd kg -1 w.w.; these were lower than the mean value of 0.55 mg Cd kg -1 w.w. reported by Gasparik et al (2012). For muscle, particularly high values were recorded in the samples from ACQ (P<0.05) (Figure 2).…”

“…Other authors have indicated that such variations in cadmium levels can be found among wild boars hunted in different areas, even within the same country (Swiergosz et al 1993). However, this figure most likely reflects the high levels of environmental pollution, as also highlighted by Gasparik et al (2012).…”

Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) levels in fresh and smoke-dried grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus Temminck) meat

“…In contrast, Mariam et al (2004) reported Cd Gasparik et al (2012), because Cd is one of the most toxic elements to humans and animals (Naja and Volesky, 2009). Cd is toxic virtually to every system in the normal body.…”