Transfer and accumulation of metals in a soil-diet-wood mouse food chain along a metal pollution gradient.
We studied the accumulation and transfer of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in the compartments of a soil-diet-wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) food chain at five sites located along a metal pollution gradient. We observed a clear gradient in metal exposure at increasing distance from the smelter in all compartments of the food chain for the non-essential metals. The gradient was less clear or absent for the essential metals in acorn and mice target tissues. Regression analysis showed overall strong relationships within the soil-diet and diet-wood mouse compartments for the non-essential metals, while relationships for the essential metals were weak or absent. Total metal in soil appeared as a better predictor for the diet metal content than the available metal fraction. Our results suggest a more important transfer of non-essential elements through the food chain than essential elements, which is probably a consequence of homeostatic control of the latter group.
Rogival
Damien
D
Department of Biology, Ecophysiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology Group, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium. damien.rogival@ua.ac.be
Scheirs
Jan
J
Blust
Ronny
R
D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods; D020387:Food Chain; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D008669:Metallurgy; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D051189:Murinae / Q000378:metabolism*; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc; D001151:Arsenic