Heavy metal concentrations in the kidneys of white-tailed deer in Oklahoma

Concentrations of renal lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium from 64 free-ranging adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were determined. The mean concentrations in ppm wet weight and standard deviations for the metals were: lead, 0.574 +/- 0.646; arsenic, 0.189 +/- 0.320; mercury, 0.176 +/- 0.114; and cadmium, 6.698 +/- 9.215. Variations in heavy metal concentrations in deer collected from differing ecoregions within Oklahoma are discussed.