Mercury contamination of the snow voles (Chionomys nivalis) in the West Carpathians

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 26; no. 35; pp. 35988 - 35995
• Main Authors: Martinková, Bibiána, Janiga, Marián, Pogányová, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agrochemicals; Alpine environments; Animals; Aquatic organisms; Aquatic Pollution; Arvicolinae - metabolism; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; autumn; Chionomys nivalis; Contamination; Deltamethrin; Diazinon; Drinking water; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology; Endosulfan; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - metabolism; Environmental science; Fungicides; Hydrologic cycle; Insecticides; Mercury; Mercury - analysis; Mercury - metabolism; Mountains; Nutrients; Parameters; Pesticides; pollution; Research Article; Risk assessment; seasonal variation; Seasonal variations; Seasons; snow; Snowmelt; Spiroxamine; spring; Surface water; tail; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water quality; Carpathian Mountains; Ethiopia; Pollution; High Tatra Mountains; Mercury; Alpine zone; Biele plesá valley; Chionomys nivalis
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06714-6

The subject of this research is mercury pollution in the alpine zone of the High Tatra Mountains (the West Carpathians). The snow vole ( Chionomys nivalis ) was chosen as a bioindicator. Mercury concentrations in the tail tips from captured individuals were examined. The samples were collected over the span of 2 years, from May 2016 to November 2017. The smaller (1-year-old) individuals had higher mercury concentrations in their tails than the bigger (2-year-old) individuals, suggesting recent aerial contamination of alpine habitats. The amount of mercury found in the tails did not differ between sexes. The differences in mercury concentration between animals caught in the spring and autumn were also insignificant. The possible relationship between mercury in the tissues and the seasonal variability of the water cycle in the mountains (snow melting, precipitation) is discussed.