Open AccessEnhanced levels of hazardous trace elements (Cd, Cu, Pb, Se, Zn) in bird tissues in the context of environmental pollution by Raša coal
Author(s) -
Andreja Prevendar Crnić,
Danijela Damijanić,
Nina Bilandžić,
Marija Sedak,
Gordana Medunić
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
rudarsko-geološko-naftni zbornik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 1849-0409
pISSN - 0353-4529
DOI - 10.17794/rgn.2022.1.3
Subject(s) - environmental chemistry , cadmium , context (archaeology) , trace element , pollution , contamination , coal , chemistry , zinc , hazardous waste , liver tissue , environmental pollution , environmental science , biology , environmental protection , ecology , geography , archaeology , organic chemistry , endocrinology
The mining and burning of Croatian Raša coal had resulted in release of various contaminants into the local environment. They have remained in the local soil, water, and plants, and became available to animals through their consumption. In this study, tissue samples from a total of 12 birds from the Raša area and 8 birds from a control area were subjected to multi-element analysis (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb) by ICP-MS. The obtained results showed increased Se and Cd concentrations in some bird tissue samples compared to the control area. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Se were found in the liver, while the highest concentrations of Cd and Pb were found in the kidneys. Although some hazardous trace elements were elevated in the tissues of game species, the risk of consuming meat and offal of such species has been found to be very low.