engleski

Mercury in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) organs in Podravina, Croatia

Since 1995 the concentrations of total mercury were analyzed in the pheasant organs (liver, kidney, brain and muscle) that live freely in an area that is was potentially exposed to elevated levels of mercury as a result of industrial activity (mercury contaminated natural gas production and processing which began in 1980). The range of the median mercury concentration values (wet weight) in pheasant organs in Podravina, Croatia were 0.0004-0.024, 0.0001-0.034, 0.0002-0.016 and 0.0001-0.025 μg/g for liver, kidney, brain, and muscle respectively. Results of theseis studies confirms that in the study area in the observed period there wasere no significant mercury contamination which can be linked to anthropogenic activities (mining, energy, industry hydrocarbon production). and what could be the cause for increased mercury concentrations in pheasants organs. On the contrary, systematic measurements demonstrate a small but constant (barely noticeable) decline in mercury concentrations in pheasant’s tissue organs. Primarily, this is the result of the significant improvement in the technological process which involves the removal of mercury from the natural gas that was designed and implemented in 1993. However, due to the need for reliable control of mercury contaminated natural gas production and the importance for better understanding of long-term exposure to low levels of mercury, and assessment of their possible harmful effects on the environment, human and animal health, research will be continued.

pheasant; mercury; natural gas; environmental monitoring; Croatia.

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