EXPERIMENTAL ACCUMULATION OF LEAD FROM SOIL THROUGH EARTHWORMS TO COMMON SHREWS

Common shrews (Solex araneus) were fed on earthworms containing high c oncentrations of lead. Both the earthworms and shrews originated from uncontaminated areas, but earthworms for the ''lead'' group of shrews were reared in the laboratory for 3 or 4 weeks in highly Pb-polluted s oil from near an old lead smelter. The control group of shrews receive d the same amount of earthworms from the uncontaminated area. The acce ptance of the experimental food by shrews was significantly lower in t he lead group; indicating that the shrews were able to detect the lead in their food. After 2 - 31 days of feeding, the shrews in the lead g roup had significantly higher Pb concentrations in their liver, kidney , bone, and pelt than did the controls. Both the number of deaths duri ng the experiment and the proportion of individuals with changes in ki dney histology were significantly higher in the lead group.