Agriculture, Vol. 29 No. 2, 2023.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.18047/poljo.29.2.11
Heavy Metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) in Hare Tissues: A Survey
Josip Gulin
; Public Institution of Krka National Park, Trg Ivana Pavla II. br. 5, 22000 Šibenik, Croatia
Tihomir Florijančić
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Nina Bilandžić
; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Siniša Ozimec
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Ivica Bošković
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Zdenko Lončarić
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Abstract
Concerns have been escalating over the increase in heavy metal levels in the envi- ronment due to anthropogenic impacts. Toxic heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) are especially dangerous, as they negatively affect organisms and cause outbreaks of diseases. The hare has been proven to be a good indicator of environmental heavy metal contamination. The liver and kidney are the tissues most commonly used in biomonitoring. Hares inhabiting a contaminated habitat have higher concentrations of heavy metals in these tissues than those from a referential habitat. As is mostly accumulated in the nails and hair, Cd in the kidney, Hg in the brain and kidney, and Pb in the brain and diaphragm. Cd and Hg concentrations in hare liver and kidney incre- ased with animal age. In most countries, hare meat is safe for human consumption, while the consumption of entrails is not recommended.
Keywords
bioaccumulation; environmental pollution; hare; heavy metals; Lepus europaeus; tissues
Hrčak ID:
311696
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2023.
Visits: 318 *