Toxicological survey of free ranging population of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) by teeth examination

Cervids have been used since a long time as biomonitoring tools, because of their ecological characteristics. An interesting matrix to bone for long term analysis of contaminants could be teeth, which represent an indication of life span accumulation of metals. Present work reports about heavy metals concentration in teeth of two species of cervids, roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) from two hunting areas of North-East Italy. Samples were collected from mandibles obtained from hunters and were analysed for heavy metals content by usin ICP-OES technique. Obtained data, reported as g/g ± s.e. dry weight, were analysed in order to identify any difference in heavy metals concentration between species and between sampling areas. Highest concentration were observed for Cr, followed by As and Cd. All other metals were close or below the limit of detection. No differences in heavy metals concentrations between sampling areas or species was observed. A similar deposition process can be considered for the two species, as well as a similar chronic exposure levels.