Journal article

Publication year: 2004

Pages: 62-66

Journal: European Journal of Wildlife Research

Volume number: 50

Issue number: 2

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-004-0042-3

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 

In order to assess temporal changes in ambient lead levels, Pb concentrations were determined in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antlers (n=116)
that had been collected in the industrialized area of Siegen (western
Germany) in the period 1948–2000. Lead concentrations ranged between 0.3
and 166.3 mg/kg dry weight. An overall decline in antler Pb
concentration occurred from the mid-1970s onward, and lead
concentrations in the samples from the periods 1980–1989 and 1990–2000
were significantly lower than those in samples from previous periods.
Our findings indicate a marked decline in lead exposure of the roe deer
inhabiting the study area in the recent past. This decline is attributed
to a decrease in atmospheric lead deposition, caused mainly by the
phase-out of leaded gasoline, and, in addition, by a reduction of lead
emissions from stationary sources. The results of the present study and
of previous investigations demonstrate that analysis of antler samples
obtained in an area over a certain period can be used to reconstruct
temporal changes in environmental lead levels.

Harvard Citation style: Kierdorf, H. and Kierdorf, U. (2004) The use of antlers to monitor temporal variation in environmental lead levels: a case study from an industrialized area in Germany, European Journal of Wildlife Research, 50(2), pp. 62-66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-004-0042-3

APA Citation style: Kierdorf, H., & Kierdorf, U. (2004). The use of antlers to monitor temporal variation in environmental lead levels: a case study from an industrialized area in Germany. European Journal of Wildlife Research. 50(2), 62-66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-004-0042-3