Mercury concentration in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair at two sites in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia)

• Autorzy: Pitoňáková Tatiana , Janiga Marián

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.3161/15052249PJE2024.72.3.002

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

This study focuses on assessing mercury (Hg) concentrations in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair at two sites – Strážov Hills and Belianske Tatry Mountains in Slovakia, within the Western Carpathians. The objective of the study was to assess mercury contamination in these ecosystems and to compare its levels between two sites, which differ in elevation and habitats. Mercury contamination, measured in mg/kg (ppm), was detected in all hair samples from both sites (N = 102). Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.0135 mg/kg to 1.2949 mg/kg, with the lowest and highest values recorded at the higher elevation site, the Belianske Tatry Mountains. The average values were also higher in the Belianske Tatry Mountains (0.29 mg/kg) than in the Strážov Hills (0.22 mg/kg). Despite this, the difference between the two sites was not statistically significant. This research contributes to the knowledge on the levels of mercury contamination in natural ecosystems and its possible impact on large predators such as the brown bear.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

ecotoxicology; mercury; brown bears; Ursus arctos; hair; Western Carpathians

• Wydawca: Museum and Institute of Zoology, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2024
• Tom: Vol. 72, nr 3
• Strony: 69--76
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 48 poz.

Twórcy

autor

Pitoňáková Tatiana

• Institute of High Mountain Biology, University of Žilina, Tatranská Javorina 7, 059 56 Tatranská Javorina, Slovak Republic
• Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81 Košice, Slovak Republic

autor

Janiga Marián

• Institute of High Mountain Biology, University of Žilina, Tatranská Javorina 7, 059 56 Tatranská Javorina, Slovak Republic

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Uwagi

Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr POPUL/SP/0154/2024/02 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki II" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki (2025).