Lead exposure of small herbivorous vertebrates from atmospheric pollution

Concentrations of Pb in livers of willow grouse (Lagopus lagopus), black gr ouse (Tetrao tetrix), and hare (Lepus timidus) were determined in samples c ollected during the period 1990-92 from 77 locations distributed across Nor way. Our objective was to elucidate the impact of long-range atmospheric tr ansport on the Pb exposure of the animals. The moss Hylocomium splendens wa s measured for atmospheric Pb deposition and Pb in soil at 60-cm depth was determined to reflect the natural geochemical background at the study locat ions. Strong positive relationships were found between Pb in liver and atmo spheric deposition of Pb for all species and age groups studied. Results in dicate that long-range atmospheric transport was the main sourer of Pb in t he animals studied. This conclusion was supported by Pb analysis of typical food plants for the animals. Correlation between Pb in liver and Pb in soi l mineral matter was observed only when considering sites with very low imp act of atmospheric deposition. Even though the observed liver Pb concentrat ions map seem low (less than or equal to 12 mu g g(-1) dw) they approach le vels where sub-lethal effects cannot be ignored. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.