Historical biomonitoring of environmental pollution with lead and Fluorides inthe Šalek valley with the aid of roe deer antlers

V Šaleški dolini oziroma v okolici Termoelektrarne Šoštanj (TEŠ) smo določili vsebnosti svinca in fl uoridov v zgodovinski seriji 129 rogovij srnjakov, uplenjenih v obdobju 1961-2004. Najvišje vsebnosti obeh onesnažil smo izmeriliv vzorcih iz sredine prejšnjega stoletja (Pb: ? = 4,21 } 2,57 mg/kg, max = 7,28 mg/kgF-: ? = 1453 } 113 mg/kg, max = 2590 mg/kg), najnižje pa vtistih iz obdobja 2000-2004 (Pb: ? = 0,58 } 0,11 mg/kg, min = 0,15 mg/kgF-: ? = 500 } 113 mg/kg, min = 110 mg/kg). Onesnaženost okolja z anorganskimionesnažili je v preučevanem območju v zadnjih desetletjih kontinuirano upadala, kar potrjuje učinkovitost ukrepov za zmanjševanje onesnaževanja okolja (postavitev in rekonstrukcija daljinskega toplovodnega sistema ogrevanja, prehod na neosvinčen bencin, postavitev naprav za razžveplanje dimnih plinov TEŠ). Ugotovljena visoko značilna soodvisnost med letnimi emisijami anorganskih onesnažil iz TEŠ in povprečnimi letnimi vsebnostmi Pb oziroma F- v rogovju srnjakov kaže, da vsebnosti obeh onesnažil v rogovju odlično odsevajo upad emisij iz TEŠ, posledično pa potrjujejo tudi uspešnost sanacijskih ukrepov, opravljenih na njej.Key words: srnjad, rogovje,retrospektivni biomonitoring, onesnaženost okolja, svinec, fluoridi, Šaleška dolina, Termoelektrarna Šoštanj.Contents of lead and fluorides were determined in the historical set of 129 roe deer antlers, shot in the period 1961-2004 in the vicinity of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant (ŠTPP), the Šalek Valley, Slovenia. The highest levels of both pollutants were determined in antlers from the sixties/eighties (Pb: ? = 4.21 } 2.57 mg/kg, max = 7.28 mg/kgF-: ? = 1453 } 113 mg/kg, max = 2590 mg/kg), while the lowest levels were found in the most recent antlers (2000-2004 period: Pb: ? = 0.58 } 0.11 mg/kg, min = 0.15 mg/kgF-: ? = 500 } 113 mg/kg, min = 110 mg/kg). Pollution with inorganic substances has continuously decreased in the study area during the last decades, which confi rms the effi ciency of some ecological remediation measures carried out in theŠalek Valley (e.g. construction of the remote heating system, introduction of unleaded petrol, and particularly construction of the flue gas cleaning devices at the ŠTPP, respectively). Indeed, highly positive correlations between annual emissions of gaseous pollutants from the ŠTPP and the mean yearly Pb/F- levels in roe deer antlers indicate that the decrease of Pb/F- contents in antlers reflects a significant reduction of emissions from the ŠTPPconsequently, it confirms the effectiveness of remediation measures implemented on/at the ŠTPP itself

Historical biomonitoring of environmental pollution with lead and Fluorides inthe Šalek valley with the aid of roe deer antlers

Contents of lead and fluorides were determined in the historical set of 129 roe deer antlers, shot in the period 1961-2004 in the vicinity of the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant (ŠTPP), the Šalek Valley, Slovenia. The highest levels of both pollutants were determined in antlers from the sixties/eighties (Pb: ? = 4.21 } 2.57 mg/kg, max = 7.28 mg/kg; F-: ? = 1453 } 113 mg/kg, max = 2590 mg/kg), while the lowest levels were found in the most recent antlers (2000-2004 period: Pb: ? = 0.58 } 0.11 mg/kg, min = 0.15 mg/kg; F-: ? = 500 } 113 mg/kg, min = 110 mg/kg). Pollution with inorganic substances has continuously decreased in the study area during the last decades, which confi rms the effi ciency of some ecological remediation measures carried out in theŠalek Valley (e.g. construction of the remote heating system, introduction of unleaded petrol, and particularly construction of the flue gas cleaning devices at the ŠTPP, respectively). Indeed, highly positive correlations between annual emissions of gaseous pollutants from the ŠTPP and the mean yearly Pb/F- levels in roe deer antlers indicate that the decrease of Pb/F- contents in antlers reflects a significant reduction of emissions from the ŠTPP; consequently, it confirms the effectiveness of remediation measures implemented on/at the ŠTPP itself

Cd, Hg, Pb, and As in European species of wild growing forest landscape fungi : a review

Kadmij (Cd), živo srebro (Hg), svinec (Pb) in arzen (As) so kovine, ki se naravno ali kot posledica človekove dejavnosti pojavljajo v okolju, tudi v gozdni krajini, kjer so rastišča številnih evropskih vrst gliv. Namen članka je bil pripraviti pregled vrst in količin izbranih kovin v trosnjakih gliv terprimerjati lastne raziskave, opravljene v različno onesnaženih območjih v Sloveniji (Zgornja Mežiška, Šaleška in Poljanska dolina), s podatki evropskih raziskav. Vsebnosti kovin v trosnjakih gliv iz neonesnaženih območij pravilomanajdemo v naslednjih intervalih: <0,5 mg/kg suhe teže (Cd), < 0,5 mg/kg do 10 mg/kg suhe teže (Hg), < 0,5 mg/kg do 5 mg/kg suhe teže (Pb) in < 0,5 mg/kg do 1 (2) mg/kg suhe teže (As). Na podlagi pregleda vsebnosti izbranih kovin v trosnjakih gliv ugotavljamo, da sta problematični kovini predvsem Cd in Hg. Omenjeni kovini lahko dosegata velike vsebnosti celo v glivah, ki rastejo v neonesnaženih območjih. Za vse analizirane kovin je značilno, da v trosnjakih gliv iz močno onesnaženih območji dosegajo velike, celo ekstemne vsebnosti, ki nekajkrat prekoračujejo vsebnosti iz neonesnaženih območij. Upoštevaje primerjavo z evropskimi raziskavami ugotavljamo, da je Zgornja Mežiška dolina obremenjena s Pb in Cd, Šaleška dolina pa s Cd in As.Metals, which originate from anthropogenic and natural activities, frequently occur in forest landscape with habitats of many European species of wild growing fungi. The presented review focuses on cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) levels in fruiting bodies of wild growing European species of fungi of forest landscape. Furthermore, a comparison with studies of this kind performed in Slovenia was made with the aim to assess themetals levels in fungi from differently polluted areas in Slovenia (the Upper Meža Valley, the Šalek Valley, the Poljana Valley). The usual reported levels for most species grown in unpolluted areas are in the following ranges:Cd: < 0,5 mg/kg - 5 mg/kg dry weight (dw), Hg: < 0,5 mg/kg - 10 mg/kg dw, Pb: < 0,5 mg/kg - 5 mg/kg dw, As: < 0,5 mg/kg -1 (2) mg/kg dw (As), respectively. The presented data reveal that cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) have probably been the most detrimental trace elements in fruiting bodies, which can reach increased levels even in unpolluted areas. It is evident for all analyzed trace elements that values can considerably increase in fungi picked in severely polluted areas. According to data regarding Slovene studies and comparison with other European studies, it is obvious that the Šalek Valley is enriched with Cd and As, while the Upper Meža Valley is considerably polluted with Pb and Cd

Fungi as responsive and accumulative bioindicators of forest site pollution in the Šalek valley

V Šaleški dolini smo analizirali talne in nadzemne glivne združbe z namenom ugotoviti potencialno onesnaženost gozdnih rastišč. Glive smo uporabili kot odzivne (pojavljanje trosnjakov višjih gliv, raziskave tipov ektomikorize in mikoriznega potenciala tal) in akumulacijske (analize težkih kovin v trosnjakih gliv) kazalce stanja gozdnega ekosistema. Opravljali smo naslednje raziskave: (a) popise trosnjakov višjih gliv, (b) raziskave tipov ektomikorizein njihove biodiverzitete, (c) analize mikoriznega potenciala tal in (d) raziskave vsebnosti težkih kovin v trosnjakih gliv. V vseh primerih so se glive pokazale kot učinkovit bioindikator stanja gozdnega ekosistema.Belowground and aboveground fungal communities in the Šalek Valley were analysed to assess the potential forest site pollution. Fungi were used as responsive (the inventory of macrofungi, determination of types of ectomycorrhizae, analyses of mycorrhizal potential) and accumulative bioindicators (heavy metal level in fruiting bodies of higher fungi). The following issues were emphasized: (a) inventory of macrofungi, (b) identification and biodiversity of types of ectomycorrhizae(c) analysis of mycorrhizal potential of differently polluted forest research plotsand (d) determination of heavy metal levels in fruiting bodies of macrofungi. Considering all issues, fungi were confirmed as effective bioindicators of forest ecosystem condition

Obremenjenost trosnjakov užitnih vrst gliv iz Šaleške in Zgornje Mežiške doline z izbranimi kovinami (Cd, Hg, Pb, As), s poudarkom na oceni tveganja za prehranjevanje ljudi

Vsebnosti Cd, Pb, Hg in As smo izmerili v trosnjakih različnih vrst gliv iz okolice nekdanje topilnice svinca (Zgornja Mežiška dolina) in največjega termoenergetskega objekta v Sloveniji (Šaleška dolina) z namenom, da napravimo primerjavo med obema območjema ter drugimi evropskimi raziskavami in ocenimo tveganje za zdravje ljudi zaradi prehranjevanja s trosnjaki užitnih vrst gliv. V Šaleški dolini odsvetujemo uživanje poljskega in hostnega kukmaka, poletnega gobana ter vijoličaste bledivke, v Zgornji Mežiški dolini pa jesenskega gobana, betičaste prašnice, brezovega turka, sivorumene mraznice in orjaškega dežnika. Za nekatere vrste gliv predlagamo omejitve pri njihovem uživanju. Med analiziranimi kovinami je Cd najbolj problematičen v obeh raziskovalnih območjih, saj ravno vsebnost Cd največkrat zmanjšuje dopustno količino zaužitih trosnjakov gliv. zaradi prepoznanega tveganja za zdravje ljudi predlagamo vzpostavitev biomonitoringa v degradiranih območjih v Sloveniji, kjer podobnih raziskav še ni bilo (Jesenice, Celjska kotlina), in v tradicionalno nabiralniških območjih (Pokljuka, Smrekovec)

Review of faecal pellet-group count methods for estimating deer numbers

Poznavanje številčnosti in lokalnih gostot populacij rastlinojedih parkljarjevje pomembno pri reševanju številnih upravljavskih in temeljno-bioloških vprašanj. Po svetu se za ocenjevanje številčnosti parkljarjev pogosto uporabljajo metode štetja kupčkov iztrebkov, ki pa so pri nas ostale več ali manj prezrte. Z namenom spodbujanja njihove rabe smo pripravili celosten pregled metod s priporočili za Slovenijo. Uveljavljena stadva načina izvedbe, t.j. s predhodnim čiščenjem in brez čiščenja kupčkov iztrebkovpri slednjem moramo oceniti tudi čas razgradnje iztrebkov, ki se lahko med mikrohabitati in letnimi časi močno spreminja, zato tega načina ne priporočamo. Vzorčenje lahko poteka na vzorčnih ploskvah različnih oblik in velikosti ali z metodo linijskega transektaizbira konkretne metode je odvisna od pričakovane gostote parkljarjev in preglednosti terena, ki pogojujemožnost zaznavanja iztrebkov. Zaradi heterogenosti habitatov je raziskovalno območje priporočljivo predhodno stratificirati po habitatni primernosti glede na pričakovane gostote parkljarjev. Stopnje iztrebljanja (t.j. število izločenih kupčkov iztrebkov / dan) se znotraj vrst spreminjajo glede na letni čas, spol in starost živali, vendar zaradi primerljivosti rezultatov svetujemo uporabo konstantnih stopenj (za jelenjad 25 in za srnjad 20 kupčkov iztrebkov) ter večkratno ponovitev vzorčenja v različnih letnih časih, s čimer pokrijemo sezonske razlike v rabi prostora. Na natančnost rezultatov vplivata predvsem priprava in izvedba vzorčenja, zato je treba tej fazi dela posvetiti veliko pozornost.Knowledge of abundance and local densities of deer populations is important inmanagement as well as in biological context. Faecal pellet-group count method, widely used around the world for estimating deer numbers, has been almost neglected in our country. Therefore, we have prepared a comprehensive overview of the method with recommendations for Slovenia to enhance its use. In principle, there are two ways to perform the faecal pellet-group count method, i.e. clearance plot and standing crop method. The latter is not recommended in a daily management practice, as it requires faecal pellet-groupdecay rate estimation, which is rather season and microhabitat specific. Sampling can be done on sampling plots of different shapes and sizesor with the line transect method. Sampling design depends on expected deer densities and ground cover dependent pellet-group detectability. Since distinct habitats are used differentially by the deer, study area stratification on specific habitat types regarding the expected deer densitiesis recommended. Within the species, defecation rates (i.e. number of pellet-groups per day) vary according to season, animal age and gendernevertheless, due to comparative reasons we recommend the use of constant defecation rates (i.e. 25 for the red deer, 20 for the roe deer, respectively). Moreover, multiple samplings are needed to cover seasonal variety in habitat use. Sampling design is of a major importance for the success of the method and has the biggest impact on the precision of deer numbers/densities estimates, therefore much effort should be devoted to this stage

Nihajoča asimetrija rogovja srnjakov (Capreolus capreolus L.) kot kazalec onesnaženosti okolja in pripomoček za upraljanje s populacijami

Na 282 rogovjih srnjakov, uplenjenih v obdobju 1961 - 2002 v Šaleški dolini, smo določili nihajočo asimetrijo (FAneusmerjene razlike med levo in desno stranjo) devetih bilateralnih morfoloških znakov. Ugotovili smo: (a) za analize FA je primernih pet znakov (dolžina veje, dolžina prednjega in zadnjega parožka, skupna dolžina veje, premer nastavka), ki ustrezajo potrebnim statističnim pogojem(b) za vse znake obstaja pozitivna soodvisnostmed velikostjo in asimetrijo, zaradi česar FA rogovja ni primeren kazalec kakovosti posameznih osebkov(c) lanščaki (zaradi nedokončanega telesnega razvoja asimetrija njihovega rogovja ni ustrezen kazalec onesnaženosti) imajo značilno večjo FA kot odrasli srnjaki(d) FA je po letu 1980 upadala in je bila po izgradnji razžveplalne naprave na TEŠ manjša kot pred njo(e) na ravni generacij obstaja značilna pozitivna soodvisnost med povprečnimi vsebnostmi Pb v rogovju in povprečno FA, kar kaže, da je onesnaženost okolja eden najpomembnejših dejavnikov stresa, ki vpliva na razvojno stabilnost procesa tvorbe rogovja.Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), which represents non-directional differences between the left and the right side, was measured for nine bilateral traits inthe antlers of 282 roe deer, shot in the period 1961 - 2002 in the Šalek Valley. Our findings were as follows: (a) Five traits (antler length, length of both front and back tine, total beam length, and pedicle diameter) are suitable for FA analyses, since they fulfil the necessary statistical criteria. (b) A significant positive correlation between size and asymmetry exists for all traitstherefore, roe deer antler asymmetry does not reflect the quality of an individual. (c) Yearlings, whose antler asymmetry is not a suitable bioindicator of environmental pollution due to an incomplete ontogenetic development, have significantly higher FA in comparison with adults. (d) In the Šalek Valley, roe deer antler FA has been decreasing since 1980after the construction of the desulphurization device in the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant it is significantly lower in comparison with the period before construction. (e) On the generation level, there is a significant positive correlation between mean Pb levels in antlers and their mean FA, which identifies environmental pollution as one of the main stressors causing deviation from bilateral symmetry of deer antlers

Fluctuating asymmetry (with emphasis on deer antler asymmetry) as an early warning system : principles, findings and options for implication

Nihajoča asimetrija (FAle-ta predstavlja neusmerjene razlike med levo in desno polovico bilateralnih znakov, ki se zaradi različnih dejavnikov stresa ne morejo razviti v sicer genetsko določeni popolni simetriji) je lahko zelo dober odzivni bioindikator izpostavljenosti populacij različnim vrstam okoljskega oz. genetskega stresa. Kljub velikemu potencialu predstavljajo meritve FA v slovenskem prostoru domala neznano področje okoljskih raziskav. Zato so v prispevku podrobno predstavljeni: (a) najpomembnejši principi, prednosti in slabosti meritev FA(b) novejše ugotovitve o vplivu dejavnikov stresa na velikost FA bilateralnih znakov različnih živalskih in rastlinskih vrst(c) vpliv izpostavljenosti težkim kovinam na velikost FA izbranih znakovživalskih vrst(d) dosedanje ugotovitve o asimetriji rogovja prostoživečih prežvekovalcev. Kot tak je prispevek pomemben za korektno, celovito in z dosedanjimi dognanji podprto predstavitev rezultatov lastnega dela na rogovju srnjakov, še zlasti za razumevanje uporabe FA rogovja kot odličnega pripomočka za bioindikacijo onesnaženosti okolja z anorganskimi onesnažili (spremljajoči prispevek).Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), which reflects non-directional and stress-induced differences between the left and the right side of otherwise perfect symmetrical bilateral traits, may be a useful sensitive bioindicator of stressful conditions in many wildlife species. However, in spite of their great potential, FA analyses present an almost unknown research field in Slovenia. Therefore, the following issues are discussed at greater length in the paper: (a) the most important principles, advantages and drawbacks of FA analyses(b) a review of recent findings on the influence of some stressors on FA of bilateral traits in different wildlife species(c) influence of heavy metals on FA of selected animal traits/organs(d) a review of existing findings on asymmetry of antlers/horns in wildliving ungulates. As such, this review paper is important for a well-grounded presentation of our own work on roe deer antlers, and particularly for understanding the employability of roe deer antlers as an excellent tool for bioindication of environmental pollutionwith inorganic pollutants (companion paper)

Impact of environmental factors on the appearance and distribution of dental fluorosis in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) in eastern Slovenia

Povečane koncentracije fluoridov v okolju negativno vplivajo na številne živalske vrsteena najbolj vidnih posledic je nepravilni razvoj trdih zobnih tkiv oz. zobna fluoroza. Z ocenjevanjem stopnje zobne fluoroze pri vsej odrasli srnjadi, odvzeti iz vzhodne Slovenije v 10 lovsko-upravljavskih območjih leta 2007 (n = 7.158), izvedbo statističnih analiz v rastrskem GIS okolju z razmeroma veliko prostorsko ločljivostjo (1 km2) ter s kartografskim prikazom smo želeli: (i) ugotoviti razlike v pojavnosti in stopnji zobne fluoroze pri srnjadi različnih območij vzhodne Slovenije(ii) določiti vpliv glavnih virov emisij na stopnjo in pojavnost zobne fluoroze(iii) določiti najpomembnejše okoljske dejavnike, ki vplivajo na pojavnost zobne fluoroze. Ugotovili smo, da vzhodna Slovenija na splošno s fluoridi ni onesnažena, saj se zmerna in močna fluoroza pojavljata pri manj kot 1 % vzorcev84 % vzorcev ni kazalo fluoroze. Le v okolici največjega vira fluoridov v Sloveniji (tovarna aluminija) je večje območje velike obremenjenosti okolja s flouridi. Z multivariatnimi statistikami smo ugotovili, da na pojavnost in stopnjo fluoroze vplivajo: (i) oddaljenost od največjega vira emisij (94,6 % pojasnjene variance)(ii) starost srnjadi (5 % pojasnjene variance)(iii) oddaljenost od najbližjega gozdnega roba (0,7 % pojasnjene variance).Increased concentrations of fluorides in the environment have a negative impact on different animal species, which are manifested mainly with the irregular formation of the dental hard tissue, called dental fluorosis. With the assessment of dental fluorosis in every adult roe deer shot in eastern Slovenia in 10 Hunting Management Districts in 2007 (n = 7,158), implementation of statistical analyses in raster GIS environment with high resolution (1x1 km) and cartography, we wished to: (i) establish the differences in the appearance and distribution of dental fluorosis in roe deer from different areas of eastern Slovenia(ii) define the impact of the main sources of fluorides on the appearance and distribution of dental fluorosis(iii) determine the most important environmental factors that have an impact on the appearance of dental fluorosis. In general, eastern Slovenia is not polluted with fluorides, while less than 1% of samples showed moderate to severe dental fluorosis84% of samples showed no fluorosis at all. Only inthe vicinity of the most important source of fluorides in Slovenia (aluminium smelter), there is an area with extreme fluoride pollution of the environment. The multivariate statistics revealed that the appearance and distribution of dental fluorosis are influenced primarily by: (i) the distancefrom the most important point source - (94.6% of the total variance)(ii) the age of the analysed animal (5% of the total variance)and (iii) the distance from the nearest forest edge (0.7% of the total variance), respectively