Heavy Metals in Tissues of Hares in Finland, 1980–82 and 1992–93

The anthropogenic load of trace metals from industrial emissions to the atmosphere has significantly increased the aerial deposition of lead, cadmium and zinc and to a lesser extent of copper and nickel during the twentieth century. This is particularly true in southern Finland, where atmospheric deposition. concentrations in water and accumulation in sediments of these metals all exceed those in central and northern Finland. The deposition of trace metals in Finland occurs simultaneously with that of acidic compounds. Several industrial processes including combustion of fossil fuels, mining, metal processing and as well as refuse incineration contribute to these emissions, which are mainly concentrated in intensively populated industrial areas. Airborne pollutants are transported over long distances and can be detected in remote areas in amounts that greatly exceed the natural background level. Long-range transport is the primary source of lead, zinc and cadmium in Finland, but local sources are more important in the deposition of copper and nickel. A major investigation of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc was performed at the National Veterinary Institute in 1980-1982. The study included 212 mountain hares (Lepua timidus) and 188 European hares (Lepus europaeus) in 15 game management areas. The results of this investigation havemore » not been published earlier. This study compared possible areal differences and followed the changes in heavy metal concentrations in hares during 10 years in an industrial and non industrial area of Finland.« less