THE MERCURY CONTENT AMONG DEER AND OF BRO WSED FOLIAGE AS A MEANS OF ASCERTAINING ENVIRONMENTAL-POLLUTION OF THE MINING REGIONS IDRIJA - A CASE-STUDY FROM SLOWENIA

Tissue samples from deer and from plants in the area around the world' s second largest mercury mine in Idrija, Slowenia as well as soil samp les were analyzed for their total contents of mercury and methyl-mercu ry during the time period 1990 to 1994 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4, Tab. 4-6 ). The total mercury contents of the tissues of deer inhabiting the vi cinity of the mine were nearly 100x higher than that of controls. The proportions of methyl-mercury as part of total mercury are given in pe rcent. The highest Me-Hg contents are found in samples of brain tissue s, with quantities up to 80%. The considerable reduction in mercury mi ning during the 1970's has not comparably reduced the amount of mercur y pollution (Fig. 5 and Tab. 7). The results are compared to those obt ained for human tissues from the 1970's and 1980's (Fig. 6) in order t o emphasize the suitability of deer as bioindicators.