Concentrations of heavy metals and PCBs in the tissues of European beavers (Castor fiber) captured in northeastern Poland

Abstract

European beavers (Castor fiber) from two regions were examined to identify exposure to persistent environmental contaminants. A reference group was comprised of six animals from the Forest Division of Srokowo, and an exposed group was comprised of five animals from the vicinity of a former military airport operated in 1918-1986-both from Warmia land in Poland.

Chemical composition, amino acid and fatty acid contents, and mineral concentrations of European beaver (Castor fiber L.) meat

“…Zalewski et al [50] in biceps femoris from wild beaver males captured in Northeastern Poland found similar concentration of Zn and Cu (45 and 1.0 mg kg −1 fresh tissue) compared to beaver semimembranosus hunted in Lublin region (Central-East Poland).…”

“…The high zinc concentration in beaver muscles is related to high content of this element in tree leaves, bark, and cambium due to its (Zn +2 ) intensive uptake by both the root system and the leaves [50].…”

Impacts of Pollutants on Beavers and Otters with Implications for Ecosystem Ramifications

“…Elevated levels of cadmium in tissues have been reported in multiple studies in both polluted areas and areas considered “ecologically clean” (Fimreite et al ; Giżejewska et al ; Giżejewska et al ; Nolet et al ; Zalewski et al ). Fimreite et al () found that beavers’ preferred plant species (aspen [ Populus spp.…”

“…In both otters and beavers, the focus of research has been on tissue and body burdens as a result of mercury exposure in river otters and cadmium exposure in beavers due to their food preferences. Accumulation of metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, copper, manganese, and zinc) and PCBs in both species can be age‐specific (Fimreite et al ; Giżejewska et al ; Hillis and Parker ), sex‐specific (Walker et al ), and tissue‐dependent (Chadwick ; Kang et al ; Wren ; Zalewski et al ).…”

“…Reductions in male reproductive organs can potentially feminize males, inducing changes in cognitive processing, stress responses, sexual behaviors, and territorial behaviors, as shown in research in mammalian model systems (von Saal et al ; Zuloaga et al ). In response to cadmium toxicity, beavers exhibited a similar response in reproduction: decrease in reproductive fertility via abnormal sperm counts (Zalewski et al ). Changes in reproductive viability are likely to have a cascading effect on continued conservation of these species and maintenance of their status as sentinels, keystone, and ecosystem engineers.…”