Heavy metals and chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations in the red fox in relation to some biological parameters

Heavy metals and organochlorine contamination were analyzed in tissues of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from the Province of Siena (central Italy). Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations were assessed in liver tissues and the data were analyzed for differences in relation to sex and age. Overall Hg, Cd and Pb mean values were 0.16, 0.62 and 0.64 μg g-1 d.w., respectively. HCB, DDT and PCB concentrations were assayed in fatty tissues and muscle. The highest levels of those pollutants were found in muscle (0.47, 1.16 and 20.2 μg g-1 lipid basis of HCB, DDTs and PCBs respectively), rather than in fat (0.23, 0.49 and 7.2 μg g-1 l.b. of HCB, DDTs and PCBs respectively). Pollutant accumulation was analyzed in relation to sex, age and sexual maturity of females.