Concentrations of cadmium, lead and sulphur in tissues of wild, forest reindeer from north-west Russia

Samples of bone, teeth and antlers of 123 wild, forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennica) shot in North Karelia and in the Archangelsk region from 1986 to 1990 were investigated with regard to heavy metal and sulphur content. The samples of bone contained the highest mean levels of cadmium and lead, and the antlers contained the lowest mean heavy-metal concentrations. No differences in the sulphur content of different tissues were found. These tissues give reliable and sensitive indications of industrial pollution in the forest ecosystems.