Investigation of roe deer--criteria for use as a bioindicator in specimen banking

Some results are given for a 5-year study to establish standard operation procedures for roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The criteria for bioindication of roe deer are listed for three forestry districts in the east of Lower Saxony (Braunschweig, Fallersleben, Lappwald). The organs investigated for use are liver, kidney, kidney fat, brain and were collected from animals with an intact abdomen and were packed in Teflon bags after being shot. The fresh samples are kept at +4 degrees C and prepared in a laboratory within 24 h. The organs were investigated for 20 organic and 15 inorganic constituents. Twenty-two detectable contaminants from different collections are evaluated by using a personal computer (PC) with a Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) program. The results show that liver is a good accumulating organ; organ size and the regular distribution of the contaminants throughout the organ are an advantage. Significant variations in concentrations of contaminants are observed in May until August; levels stabilize in September to November. Animals < 18 months of age should be selected from rather narrow and uniform biotopes for specimen banking during the periods of autumn to winter or May. Pooling of the samples is not recommended.