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Toxicological risks for small mammals in a diffusely and moderately polluted floodplain
Sander Wijnhoven1, Rob S E W Leuven, Gerard van der Velde
1Monitor Taskforce, Netherlands Institute of Ecology - Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology (NIOO-CEME), P.O. Box 140, NL-4400 AC Yerseke, The Netherlands. S.Wijnhoven@nioo.knaw.nl
Heavy metal pollution in floodplains poses risks, with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) found in small mammals. While some individuals show toxic effects, population-level impacts are limited due to short lifespans.
Area of Science:
- Ecotoxicology
- Environmental Chemistry
- Mammalogy
Background:
- Diffuse heavy metal pollution in floodplains presents an understudied ecotoxicological risk.
- Field data on heavy metal accumulation in small mammals from these environments are scarce.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) accumulation in small mammals from a Dutch floodplain.
- To compare measured metal concentrations with established ecotoxicological effect concentrations (ECs).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Cd and Pb concentrations in the liver and kidneys of voles, mice, and shrews.
- Comparison of tissue metal levels with literature-reported effect concentrations.
Main Results:
- Cd and Pb levels in small mammals frequently exceeded lower reported effect concentrations.
- Shrew species, particularly Sorex araneus, exhibited the highest Cd and Pb burdens.
- Exceptionally high metal concentrations in some individuals indicated localized hotspots.
Conclusions:
- Toxicological effects at the individual level were observed, but population-level impacts are likely limited by short lifespans and rapid maturation.
- Targeted remediation of identified local hotspots could mitigate ecotoxicological risks in these floodplains.
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