Seasonal comparison of trace metal residues in white-footed mice and soil from colliery stripmines

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:37473

Hausbeck, J S; Husby, M P; McBee, K ^[1]

---

1. Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (United States). Dept. of Zoology

Mine tailings of abandoned coal stripmines in Oklahoma and other regions of the US have been shown to contain slightly elevated levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Metalliferous stripmine spoil has been found to contain much higher levels of Cu and Zn than colliery stripmines, and many other trace metals including cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) among others. Although levels of trace metal contamination were lower for coal stripmines, research has shown small mammals exposed to low levels of trace metals may bioaccumulate trace metals. This study intended to determine the levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in liver, kidney, and bone tissues of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and examine the variance of these levels among sites and seasons. Preliminary results of soil analysis have indicated that mice collected from stripmine sites were exposed to slightly elevated levels of Zn and Cd in stripmine spoil collected from Okmulgee Co., OK. Kidney and liver tissues from mice collected at stripmine sites within this county have shown significantly greater levels of Cd and Zn than tissues collected from reference mice. Significant seasonal variation in renal and hepatic Zn concentrations was observed and possibly was related to a change in diet or reproductive activity.

• OSTI ID: 37473
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410273--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ABANDONED SHAFTS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
CADMIUM
COAL MINES
COPPER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
LAND POLLUTION
LEAD
MICE
OKLAHOMA
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SENSITIVITY
SURFACE MINING
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRACE AMOUNTS
ZINC