CONTENTS OF HEAVY-METALS IN AMERICAN MINK (MUSTELA VISION) - INTAKE, ACCUMULATION, ELIMINATION - POSSIBILITIES OF BIOINDICATION

The authors studied the distribution of Zn, Cu, Mo, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Ag in components of the environment, foods, and the organism of American mink from habitats differing in ecological geochemical indices (Driss a, Nishcha, and Svisloch Rivers, Belarus). Comparative analysis of the populations, including morphophysiological characteristics, degree of infestation with helminths, nutrition, structural reproductive condit ion, and contents of heavy metals, showed the presence of differences in all aspects of the investigation. Peculiarities of the intake, accu mulation, and elimination of trace elements from the organism are char acterized. Mechanisms of American mink's adaptation to environmental p ollution are discussed. The possibility of using the data obtained for ecological geochemical monitoring is shown. A conclusion is drawn abo ut formation of a technogenic, atonal biogeochemical province on the S visloch River.