Red fox, Vulpes vulpes L., as a bioindicator of environmental pollution in the countryside of Czech Republic

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the accumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of the small intestines of red foxes from 4 different areas of the northern part of the Czech Republic. The red foxes were relocated from countryside and free nature to the neighborhood of big cities in the last two decades, so it could be great indicator of pollution in these four different areas, with the focus on countryside problems with pollution of heavy metals. The heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni) concentrations in 27 samples and the relationships between heavy metal concentration in red fox tissue and the location of sample were investigated. The highest concentrations of Pb (0.684 mg.kg-1), Cr (0.162 mg.kg-1), Ni (0.235 mg.kg-1) and Zn (19.76 mg.kg-1 ) were found in tissues from mountain areas. The highest concentrations of Cd (0.047 mg.kg-1), Cu (1.474 mg.kg-1) and Mn (2.025 mg.kg-1) were measured in tissues from industrial agglomeration around the city Hradec Králové. Pb and Cr concentrations in tissues of red foxes from two areas (environs of the city Krasna Lipa and Hradec Kralove) exceeded the permissible food consumption limits.