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.

Keywords:

• Cadmium
• mercury
• zinc
• copper
• cobalt
• wild boar
• correlations

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the APVV grant SK-PL-0007–09 and VEGA grants no. 1/1101/11, 1/0790/11, 1/0532/11 and ECOVA Plus (Code ITMS of project: 26220120032).