Metal exposure and accumulation patterns in free-range cows (Bos taurus) in a contaminated natural area: Influence of spatial and social behavior.
Possible effects of spatial metal distribution, seasonal-, ecological- and ethological parameters, on the metal exposure of cows were investigated. Therefore the habitat use, vegetation selection and foraging behavior of two free ranging Galloway herds in a metal polluted nature reserve were observed. Metal concentrations in soil, vegetation, hair, blood and feces were measured. Although both herds lived in the same reserve, their metal exposure differed significantly. A high consumption of soft rush by herd 1 during winter for instance was responsible for a large increase in daily Cd intake. The results of this study suggest that the exposure and health risks of large grazers can probably not only be predicted by a general monitoring of soil and vegetation pollution. Also detailed information about the occurring vegetation types, spatial habitat use together with the social- and foraging behavior and diet selection of the species need to be studied.
Laboratory of Systemic Ecophysiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE/EB&T), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171/U7, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium. saskia.roggeman@ua.ac.be
Saskia
S
Roggeman
Nico
N
van den Brink
Nander
N
Van Praet
Ronny
R
Blust
Lieven
L
Bervoets
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D008670:Metals; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants