Levels of selenium and trace metals in animal tissues in the context of environmental pollution by Raša coal

Višestoljetnim rudarenjem i izgaranjem raškog ugljena oslobođeni su različiti kontaminanti koji su se zadržali u okolnom tlu, vodi i zraku te postali dostupni životinjama i biljkama tog područja. Prikupljeni uzorci tkiva ukupno 12 ptica s područja Raše i 8 ptica s kontrolnog područja podvrgnuti su multielementnoj analizi. Primjenom tehnike spektrometrije masa uz induktivno spregnutu plazmu (ICP-MS) određene su koncentracije elemenata u tragovima u tkivima ptica. Svi su uzorci analizirani na 13 elemenata (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb). Rezultati upućuju na povećane koncentracije Se i Cd u pojedinim tkivima ptica s područja Raše u odnosu na kontrolno područje. Najveće koncentracije Cu, Zn i Se izmjerene su u jetri, dok su najveće koncentracije Cd i Pb izmjerene u bubrezima ptica. Iako su neki toksični elementi povišeni u tkivima lovnih vrsta, utvrđeno je da je rizik od konzumiranja mesa i iznutrica takvih vrsta vrlo nizak.Mining and combustion of Raša coal over the centuries resulted in release of various contaminants into the local environment. They remained in the surrounding soil, water and air and became available to animals and plants of the area. Collected tissue samples from a total of 12 birds from the Raša area and 8 birds from the control area were subjected to multi-element analysis. Total trace element concentrations in the bird tissues were determined by ICP-MS. All samples were analysed for 13 elements (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Pb). The obtained results indicate increased Se and Cd concentrations in some bird tissue samples compared to the control area. The highest concentrations of Cu, Zn and Se were measured in the liver, while the highest concentrations of Cd and Pb were measured in the kidneys of birds. Although some toxic elements are elevated in the tissues of game species, the risk of consuming meat and offal of such species has been found to be very low