Trace Elements in Tissues of Wild Carnivores and Omnivores in Croatia

The differences in metal exposure (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Hg) in the muscle, liver and kidney tissues of brown bears (Ursus arctos), grey wolfs (Canis lupus), Eurasian lynxs (Lynx lynx), Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) and pine martens (Martes martes) from Croatia were observed. The highest mean Cd levels were found in kidney and liver of Eurasian badger (3.05 and 0.537 mg/kg). The highest Cu concentrations (mg/kg) measured in liver tissue were obtained in order: Eurasian badger (15.2) > brown bear (12.1) > pine marten (10.3) > Eurasian lynx (8.43) > grey wolf (6.44). Result presented that Eurasian badger accumulated the highest levels of elements: As, Cu and Pb in muscle; As, Cd, Cu and Pb in liver; Cd and Pb in kidney. Kidney of pine marten accumulated the highest concentrations of As, Cu and Hg. Omnivorous species observed present an important bioindicator for the accumulation of toxic elements indicating an enhanced vulnerability for response to ecological changes in forested terrain. Generally, element concentrations found in five species observed were lower in comparison to levels reported in previous studies and below levels related to toxicosis in mammals.     

Comparison of heavy metal concentrations in tissues of red foxes from adjacent urban, suburban, and rural areas

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a representative of the canid family with wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and Australia. The increasing utilization of urbanized habitats by red foxes prompted us to test whether this species may be used to monitor the presence of anthropogenic pollutants in cities or suburbs. For that purpose, we compared the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn) in foxes from urban, suburban, and rural areas within the municipality of Zürich (Switzerland). The kidney and liver of suburban and rural foxes contained the highest Cd concentrations, whereas urban foxes contained the highest Pb levels. In the kidney of suburban foxes, Cd concentrations increased from a median value of 0.73 mg/kg in juvenile animals to 1.82 mg/kg in adults. Similarly, the liver of suburban foxes contained increasing Cd levels from a median of 0.21 mg/kg in juvenile animals to 0.94 mg/kg in adults. An age-dependent storage of Cd was also found in foxes from the rural surroundings, but no such accumulation occurred in urban foxes from the city center, where even adult animals contained very low Cd levels. Conversely, foxes from the urban center were characterized by elevated Pb concentrations during the first 2 years of life, but this transient Pb accumulation was absent in suburban or rural animals. The liver of juvenile foxes contained a median Pb concentration of 0.99 mg/kg in the city compared to only 0.47 and 0.37 mg/kg in the suburban and rural area, respectively. Thus, we found that animals from separate environmental compartments contain different patterns of tissue residues, implying that red foxes may serve as a bioindicator species to detect certain toxic hazards in urbanized habitats. Received: 25 July 2000/Accepted: 14 November 2000     

Red Fox (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis> Linnaeus, 1758) as Biological Indicator for Environmental Pollution in Hungary

Our aim were to establish the metal (Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Cd, and Pb) levels of red fox liver and the kidney samples (n = 10) deriving from central part of Hungary and compare the results with other countries’ data. According to our results the concentrations of residues of the targeted elements (mg/kg dry weight) in liver and kidney samples were, respectively in liver: Cu: 21.418, Zn: 156.928, Ni: 2.079, Co: 1.611, Pb: 1.678 and Cd: 0.499; and kidney samples: Cu: 9.236; Zn: 87.159; Ni: 2.514; Co: 2.455; Pb: 2.63 and Cd: 0.818. Pb levels of Hungarian red fox liver samples significantly exceed the values of Italian specimens’ samples, whilst the same element’s concentrations of Hungarian red fox kidney samples were higher than the results published in Germany.     

Toxic element concentrations in the Razorbill Alca torda (Charadriiformes, Alcidae) in Portugal

The present study provides the first data on inorganic element levels (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn) in juvenile, immature, and adult razorbills (Alca torda) collected along the central coast of Portugal. Element concentrations were assessed by ICP-MS in kidney, liver, muscle, and feathers of 28 razorbills, including 4 juveniles, 17 subadults, and 7 adults. The effect of age and tissue on element accumulation was also assessed. The detected levels in razorbills may indicate a possible contamination risk by Hg and Cr. With respect to bird tissues, higher accumulation of Se and Cd was detected in kidney, Zn and Pb in feathers, and As and Mn in liver. Age was found to affect the accumulation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, and Mn, juveniles presenting higher levels of Cu and Mn than older individuals. In razorbill kidney, Zn–Hg constituted the most significant relationship among metal concentrations. Liver presented the highest number of significant relationships (mostly involving Zn and Co). With regard to feathers, the most significant relationships involved Se, Zn, Cr and Cu concentrations. Positive linear relationships were detected among kidney, liver, and muscle, with emphasis on relationships involving Se and Hg, which may be indicative of similar accumulation/regulation mechanisms in those organs. Element concentrations are discussed in view of possible detoxification mechanisms in seabirds.     

Accumulation of heavy metals in Caspian seals (Phoca caspica)

Concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, and Hg) were determined in the muscle, liver, and kidney of 42 Caspian seals and fishes collected from the Caspian Sea in 1993. Higher Mn and lower Fe and Cu concentrations were found in the liver in comparison with other marine pinnipeds. Lower Cu concentrations in the liver appear to be a common feature in small seals belonging to subgenus Pusa, which include ringed, Baikal, and Caspian seals. However, low Fe and high Mn in livers were specific to Caspian seal. Concentrations of toxic metals such as Hg and Cd were relatively low. Pinniped species can be divided into two groups, based on accumulations of Cd or Hg in the liver. Interestingly, it was found that Cd-accumulating groups feed on invertebrates, whereas the preferred diet of Hg accumulators is fish. Caspian seals seemed to belong to the Hg-accumulating group. Cd and Hg concentrations in the liver and kidney of young animals increased with age. Mercury concentrations in adult animals increased with age continuously, whereas Cd concentrations in adult animals decreased. This trend might be due to preferential feeding habits and shift in ratio of Hg and Cd in the diet (i.e., invertebrates to fish). Received: 10 July 2001/Accepted: 7 January 2002     

Influence of Parasitism on Trace Element Contents in Tissues of Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Its Parasites Mesocestoides spp. (Cestoda) and Toxascaris leonina (Nematoda)

Bioaccumulation of cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, and zinc in 56 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and their parasites Mesocestoides spp. (Cestoda) and Toxascaris leonina (Nematoda) was studied. The levels of heavy metals were determined in the livers and kidneys of the animals depending on parasitism in the following ranges: Pb, 0.029–3.556; Cd, 0.055–9.967; Cr, 0.001–0.304; Cu, 4.15–41.15; Mn, 1.81–19.94; Ni: 0.037–0.831; Zn, 52.0–212.9 μg/g dry weight (dw). Cd in parasites (0.038–3.678 μg/g dw) were comparable with those in the livers of the host and lower than in the kidneys (0.095–6.032 μg/g dw). Contents of Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn in cestodes were predominantly higher than those in the kidney and liver of the host. Median lead levels in Mesocestoides spp. (45.6 μg/g dw) were 52-fold higher than in the kidney and liver of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) infected by both parasites and median Pb values in T. leonina (8.98 μg/g dw) were 8-fold higher than in the tissues of the parasitized red fox. Bioaccumulation factors of copper, zinc, nickel, and manganese are lower than those of lead and mostly range from 1.9 to 24 for Mesocestoides spp. and from 1.5 to 6 for nematode T. leonina depending on the tissue of host and element. A significant decrease in the content of Pb was found in the kidney of animals infected by T. leonina (0.260 μg/g dw) as well as those infected by Mesocestoides spp. (0.457 μg/g dw) in comparison with the lead content (0.878 μg/g dw) in the kidneys of the nonparasitized red fox. Regardless of a bioaccumulation of copper and manganese in the parasites, a significant increase of the concentrations of Mn and Cu was observed in the host’s livers infected predominantly by Mesocestoides spp.     

Tissue distribution of heavy metals and their variations with age,sex, and habitat in Japanese serows (Capricornis crispus)

Baseline data on heavy metal accumulations (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg) in organs and tissues, and their variations with age, sex, and habitat in free-ranging Japanese serows were determined. The metal concentrations were high in liver and kidney and low in brain and muscle. Also, high accumulations of Mn and Ni in gastrointestinal organs may be due to an undeveloped excretory system for these metals by bile. About 40% of the Hg burden in the whole body was in the fleece, indicating that a major portion of Hg body burden is excreted by moulting. The metal concentrations varied widely with metal species and also with growth stage or age, especially during the fetal, fawn and puberty periods. Metal burdens of the fetus were very low compared with those of their mothers, so parturition did not change the whole-body burdens/concentrations of metals in the mothers. Iron in the muscle and liver, and Cu in the liver showed significantly higher concentrations in the males than in the females. A significant difference of Cd concentrations was found between habitats of the serow.     

Toxic Element Concentration in the Atlantic Gannet Morus bassanus (Pelecaniformes, Sulidae) in Portugal

The present study provides the first data on inorganic element levels in juvenile, subadult, and adult Atlantic gannets (Morus bassanus). Physiological and potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn) were assessed by ICP-MS in kidney, liver, muscle, and feathers of 31 gannets, including 18 juveniles, 7 subadults, and 6 adults. The effect of age and tissue on element accumulation was also assessed. Mercury was roughly above the minimum level for adverse effects in birds. A higher accumulation of Se and Cd was detected in kidney, Pb in feathers, and Mn in liver. Age was found to affect the accumulation of Cd, Co, Hg, Mn, Se, and Zn. Adults presented significantly lower levels of Mn, Se, and Zn than subadults. Linear positive relationships within tissues were detected involving Se-Cd and Se-Hg. Also, positive linear relationships were detected among kidney, liver, and muscle, with emphasis on relationships involving Cd, Hg, Se, and Zn, which may be indicative of analogous regulation mechanisms in those organs. Atlantic gannets occurring in the study area leave their reproduction sites as juveniles. During their development process, several molting cycles occur and thus the possible contamination risk by Hg should reflect levels in the development areas rather than contamination levels in reproduction areas. The present study provides basic information on multielement accumulation in Morus bassanus, which may help us to understand the behavior and toxicity of various elements in marine birds.     

Toxic Element Concentrations in the Bottlenose (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tursiops truncatus</Emphasis>), Striped (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Stenella coeruleoalba</Emphasis>) and Risso’s (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Grampus griseus</Emphasis>) Dolphins Stranded in Eastern Adriatic Sea

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) were measured in muscle, liver and kidney of three cetacean species, the bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus), striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) and Risso’s (Grampus griseus) dolphins from the Croatian waters of the Adriatic Sea. In all three dolphin species Cd levels decreased in tissues in the order: kidney > liver > muscle, while As and Pb decreased in the order: liver > kidney > muscle for striped and Risso’s dolphins, but with the order reversed for liver and kidney in the bottlenose dolphin for Pb. Levels of Hg consistently followed the order: liver > muscle > kidney, with mean concentrations in the liver being 11–34 times higher than in the other tissues. The highest mean concentrations of trace elements were measured in Risso’s dolphins at 14.9 μg/g wet weight, for Cd in the kidney, and concentrations in the liver of 2.41, 1,115 and 0.63 μg/g for As, Hg and Pb, respectively. Statistically significant differences between the three dolphin species were determined for Cd, Hg and Pb in liver tissues, for As in muscle and for Cd in kidney. Significant correlations of metals between tissues were determined in all three species. The results presented give an indication of the environmental condition with regard to the content of toxic metals along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea.     

Elevated Concentrations of Trace Elements in Caspian Seals (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoca caspica</Emphasis>) Found Stranded During the Mass Mortality Events in 2000

Concentrations of V, Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Tl, Hg, Pb, and organic mercury (Org-Hg) were determined in liver, kidney, and muscle of healthy Caspian seals (Phoca caspica) collected in 1998. These concentrations were compared with those of seals infected with canine distemper virus (CDV) found stranded along the coastal areas in 2000. Concentrations of toxic elements (As, Ag, Cd, Tl, Hg, Pb, and Org-Hg) in Caspian seals stranded in 2000 were comparable or lower than those of samples collected in 1998 and in other pinnipeds. Thus it may be inferred that these elements were not the causative agents in the deaths of the seals. In contrast, concentrations of Zn and Fe were much higher in diseased Caspian seals than those in other pinnipeds. Zinc concentrations in all tissues of Caspian seals also increased during 1993–2000. Furthermore, negative correlations were found between blubber thickness and hepatic and renal Zn concentrations. These results imply the disturbance in homeostatic control and nutritional status of essential elements in Caspian seals stranded in 2000. Received: 15 April 2001/Accepted: 21 September 2001     

Age-Dependent Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Baikal Seal (Phoca sibirica) from the Lake Baikal

Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Hg were determined in the liver, kidney, and muscle of 60 Baikal seals collected from Lake Baikal in 1992 to investigate age-dependent accumulation. Among essential elements, Fe concentrations in the muscle, liver, and kidney increased with age, suggesting development of diving ability. The concentrations of Mn, Zn, and Cu decreased with age, especially at immature stages. Toxic elements such as Hg and Cd decreased in adult males and thus the male-female difference was clearly observed in their concentrations, which differed from patterns usually found in marine mammals. Such accumulation patterns were due to difference in the feeding rates between males and females under low exposure to Hg and Cd. In addition, a greater excretion of Hg than that of Cd through molting and parturition was estimated. Received: 21 October 1997/Accepted: 2 March 1998     

Trace Element Concentrations (Mercury, Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Lead, Aluminium, Nickel, Arsenic, and Selenium) in Some Aquatic Birds of the Southwest Atlantic Coast of France

Trace elements (mercury [Hg], cadmium [Cd], copper [Cu], zinc [Zn], lead [Pb], aluminium [Al], nickel [Ni], arsenic [As], and selenium [Se]) were investigated using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry in liver, kidney, muscle, and feather of aquatic birds wintering or inhabiting the wetlands situated on the Southwest Atlantic coast of France. A majority of greylag geese, red knots, and grey plovers were collected from among hunter-shot animals. The relation between residue concentrations, age (juvenile vs. adult), and sex was investigated. Trace elements were lower than threshold levels of toxicity, except for Pb. Greylag geese sampled could be considered Pb-poisoned. These consequential levels of contamination could be the result of the ingestion of Pb-shot from ammunition used in hunting areas they crossed during migration. Cd accumulation increased with age, whereas Pb levels in feathers were lower in adult birds in connection with moulting. As was influenced by sex. Female birds displayed higher concentrations in liver and feathers than did male birds.     

Metal pollution as health indicator of lake ecosystems

As part of a long-term monitoring study of the anthropogenic pollution of the Lake of Balaton (Hungary) the concentrations of toxic metals (Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+), as well as of bioelements (Cu2+ and Zn2+) were measured in the muscle, gill and liver of bream (Abramis brama L.) collected in the open water during the autumn of 1999, The highest Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were detected in the gill and liver of fish, whereas the highest Hg concentrations were measured in the muscle. The maximum metal concentrations measured in the muscle of bream were generally below maximum permissible levels for human consumption established by the Hungarian Food Directorate. Depending on the sampling site, significantly higher Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations (p < 0.05) were detected in the muscle of fish samples collected from the Western basin, while no significant differences were observed for Cu and Zn. In the muscle and gill an increasing trend of heavy metal (Cd and Cu) load characterizes the individuals of the 2-4 calendar age group (p < 0.05), while for the older specimens the concentration of these elements decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Positive relationships on the whole age scale were found for Cd in the liver, for Pb in the gill, and for Hg both in the muscle and the liver of fish.     

Growth-Related Changes in Heavy Metal Accumulation in Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) from Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan

Concentrations of nine heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co, and Hg) were determined in liver, kidney, and muscle of 50 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) collected from Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa, Japan, to elucidate growth-related changes in heavy metal accumulation during different growth stage. Considerably high Cu concentrations were found in the liver of smaller turtles. Mean hepatic concentration of Cu was 50.2 μg/g wet weight which varied widely (4.27–113 μg/g wet weight). Cadmium concentrations decreased with increasing the carapace length. The juvenile green turtles in the pelagic ocean are likely feed on zooplankton, while adult coastal inhabiting green turtles mainly feed on sea grasses and seaweeds. Concentrations of Cd in sea plants are lower than those in zooplankton. The specific accumulation of Cd found in the green turtle seems to be attributable to their feeding habit, which is a shift from carnivore to herbivore at different growth stages. Received: 13 September 1999/Accepted: 29 March 2000     

Sex, Age, and Tissue Specific Accumulation of Eight Metals, Arsenic, and Selenium in the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

Many insectivores have been shown to be sensitive to heavy metals and therefore suitable for biomonitoring purposes. In Finland, the hibernation period of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is long, and during hibernation the stress caused by environmental toxins may be crucial. Concentrations of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and selenium (Se) were measured in a population of hedgehogs in the town of Joensuu in eastern Finland during the summers of 2004 and 2005. The analyzed tissues were kidney, liver, hair, and spine. The sampled hedgehogs (n = 65) were mainly road-killed animals. As expected, the concentrations of heavy metals were low because the hedgehogs were living in a comparatively unpolluted area. Significant increases with age were found in Cd concentrations (kidney, liver, and spine) and some essential elements (Se in spine, kidney, and liver; Mo in kidney and liver; Cu in spine; Fe in liver; and Mn in spine). Age accumulation and correlations between Se and Cd and between Mo and Cd may indicate the protective roles of Se and Mo against Cd toxicity in hedgehogs, in which Cd is already at comparatively low concentrations. Sex had no significant effect on concentrations of the elements studied. In conclusion, age is an important parameter to be taken into account when studying heavy-metal concentrations in hedgehogs and other insectivores.     

Mercury and major essential elements in seals,penguins, and other representative fauna of the Antarctic

Concentrations of total Hg and major essential elements, Ca, Mg, Na, and K, were measured in the muscle, liver, and kidney of three species of seals, crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus), leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), and Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddelli) collected in the Antarctic. The muscle and liver of three species of penguins, i.e., gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), Adelie penguin (P. adeliae), chinstrap penguin (P. antarctica), and other representative fauna were also analyzed for the elements. Distinct inter-tissue differences in the metal concentration were observed; liver had the greatest concentrations of Hg, kidney showed maximum concentration of Ca and Na, while muscle was characterized by the greatest content of Mg and K. Inter-specimen differentiation of concentrations among the same species was distinctly visualized for Hg but not for the major essential elements. The Hg concentration in the seals analyzed are in keeping with those reported previously by other authors. Such comparison for Ca, Mg, Na, and K was impossible because of the lack of available literature data for their concentrations in marine seals. Numerous significant correlations were observed between concentrations of the several metals analyzed. There was no correlation between Hg, which is a non-essential element and both Zn and Cd which are essential and non-essential elements, respectively in the liver or kidney of seals. However, there were significant correlations between concentration of Zn and the sum of molar concentrations of Hg + Cd in kidney (r=0.82) and liver (r=0.76). The results suggest that several control mechanisms operate to maintain physiologically required levels that decreases any effect of heavy metal toxicants such as Hg and Cd.     

Trace Element Concentrations in European Pond Turtles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Emys orbicularis</Emphasis>) from Brenne Natural Park,France

We assessed trace elements concentration in European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) from Brenne Natural Park (France). We sampled road-killed turtles (N?=?46) to measure the concentrations of 4 non-essential (Ag, Cd, Hg, and Pb) and 10 essential (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, V, and Zn) elements in muscle, skin, liver and claws. Body size or sex did not influence the concentrations of most elements; except for Hg (liver, skin and claws) and Zn (muscle) which increased with body size. We found relatively high concentrations of Hg and Zn, possibly linked to fish farming. This result deserves future investigations to evaluate possible ecotoxicological effects on E. orbicularis.     

Observations on metal concentrations in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in reservoirs of south Sri Lanka

Samples of the muscle and liver of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) obtained from the five reservoirs in four catchments in southern Sri Lanka in 1998 were analyzed for 16 elements: As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometry, and Hg by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Pb were below the detection limits of the instrumental techniques employed in all samples. The elements As, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Sr, and Zn were detected in the muscle and liver tissue, with Cd detected in some liver samples. There were no statistically significant differences between the individual concentrations of any of the metals and the site from which the tilapia were collected (P>0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant correlations were found between total length of fish and metal concentration. No elements were found at concentrations of toxicological concern. However, a principal component analysis suggests that the populations of tilapia in the reservoirs may be exposed to different regimes of metals, possibly associated with different catchment land-use patterns.     

Distribution of 14 Elements in Tissues and Organs of Oceanic Seabirds

The concentrations of 14 trace elements (Li, V, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Pb, and Hg) were determined in tissues and organs of three species and in the liver of 11 species of seabirds. Comparatively high concentrations of Li, Co, Sr, and V were found in the femur. Cd, Se, Cu, and Mn concentrations were relatively higher in the kidney than in other tissues and organs. Rb, Cs, and Pb concentrations were rather uniform among tissues. Concentrations of essential elements such as Mn, Cu, and Co were comparable among seabird species, except high Cu concentrations in northern giant petrel. Among nonessential elements, concentrations of Cd and Hg were variable according to seabird species. Pb levels were low in all the species. High Se levels (100 μg/g dry weight) were found in the liver of black-footed albatross and grey petrel. There were significant positive correlations between Se and Cd concentrations in three species and between Se and Hg in black-footed albatross, suggesting that Se has an antagonistic action on the toxic effects of Cd and Hg. Concentrations of Li, V, Ag, and Cs were usually low (less than 1 μg/g dry weight). Received: 30 October 1997/Accepted: 17 May 1998     

Organochlorine and Heavy-Metal Contaminants in Wild Mammals and Birds of Urbino-Pesaro Province, Italy: An Analytic Overview for Potential Bioindicators

Tissue samples from 56 bird and 11 mammal species of different trophic levels, collected from 1994 to 1995 from the Urbino–Pesaro area in the Marche region of central Italy, were analyzed for the presence of organochlorine compounds (polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p′-DDE) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg). Results revealed interspecies differences in pollutant residue concentrations. A clear relationship between contaminant and trophic levels emerged depending on several factors specific to the chemicals and the organisms, the importance of dietary accumulation, and metabolic capacity as it increased toward higher trophic levels. Polychlorinated biphenyls and p,p′-DDE were found in all of the bird and mammal species analyzed (bird- or fish-eating birds), and insectivore mammals showed the highest level of these contaminants. Pb and Hg residues were also widely detected and reflected trophic-level differences. The highest concentration of Pb was found in herbivorous or bird-eating aquatic invertebrates and in insectivorous mammals, particularly in the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), whereas the highest Hg levels were found in fish-eating birds. All of the other heavy metals were detected at low concentrations and represented background levels for birds and mammals, with the exception of increased amounts of Cd and Cr, respectively, found in stone marten (Martes foina) and fox (Vulpes vulpes). Data from this study provided information on baseline levels of interest to monitor status and trends in chemical residue in biota in this specific area, and therefore they represent a tool to evaluate potential ecologic, wildlife, and human health exposure.