Tissue, sex and age specific accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) by populations of the mole (Talpa europaea L.) in a central urban area

Heavy metal accumulation was studied in urban populations of moles, Talpa europaea L. (Insectivora) at three sites along the "Donaukanal" in Vienna. Kidneys, liver, lung, gonads, spleen, pancreas, femur, stomach + content, heart and skin were analysed for Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd contents. Female moles showed higher Zn concentrations in spleen, gonads and skin, higher Cd concentrations in femur and stomach and lower Cu content in kidneys compared to males. Age classes were determined using teeth section. A significant increase in Cd concentration with age was found in kidneys, liver, heart, lung, skin and femur, with the highest increase for kidney samples. Pb accumulated in bone tissue (femur) with increasing age. Although significant site differences in heavy metal concentrations of soil and vegetation samples existed, these differences were only partly reflected by tissue contents.     

Lead and cadmium in indoor air and the urban environment

The present study was conducted to find potential terrestrial biomonitors for heavy metals in indoor air in an urban environment. TSP, PM(10), and PM(2.5) were collected in three retirement facilities in the urban area of Vienna. In addition, particulate matter and soil, vegetation, and isopods (Porcellio scaber L.) were collected in the adjacent garden areas. Aerosols were sampled with a low-volume air sampler. The sampled materials were wet ashed and total lead and cadmium contents were determined. Water-soluble heavy metal concentrations were measured in aqueous extracts from air exposed filters, soil, and vegetation. Lead and cadmium were analyzed by graphite furnace AAS. Lead contents in the vegetation were inferred from water-soluble lead in soils. Lead in isopods generally reflected the contents in vegetation. Cadmium in plants probably derived from soil solutions as well as from atmospheric input. Isopods reflected the total cadmium contents in soils. Particulate matter was dominated by PM(2.5), both with respect to mass concentrations and to heavy metal contents. The indoor aerosol was found to be influenced by human activity, indoor sources, and outdoor particles. Relationships between indoor airborne heavy metals and the contents in vegetation (lead and cadmium: positive) and isopods (lead: negative) were identified to have the potential for biomonitoring indoor air quality.