Levels of heavy metals in Karelian wildlife, 1989-91

The levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, copper, nickel, zinc and iron were de termined in samples of liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart, lungs and hai r of moose (N = 67), reindeer (N = 45), brown bear (N = 18), wild boar (N = 10) and squirrel (N = 18) shot in Karelia from 1989 to 1991 during regular hunting. The highest heavy-metal concentrations were found in livers, kidn ey, lungs and hair samples. The samples of muscle contained lowest levels o f these elements. The tissues of moose, reindeer and brown bear were contam inated with heavy metals to a greatest extent. Lowest levels of toxicants w ere recorded in wild boar. Results indicate a widespread presence of heavy metal in the environment and in wildlife, which may be Linked to acid preci pitation. There was no evidence of these elements accumulated to toxic leve ls, but Karelian public have been informed that the eating of moose liver a nd kidney would probably result in their exceeding WHO standard weekly inta ke limit for cadmium.