Barium concentration in cast roe deer antlers related to air pollution caused by burning of barium-enriched coals in southern Poland

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 5978 - 5982
• Main Authors: Jabłońska, M., Kramarczyk, M., Smieja-Król, B., Janeczek, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-03-2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Air circulation; Air Pollution; Animals; Antlers - metabolism; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Atomic absorption spectroscopy; Barium; Biomarkers; Bones; Coal; Deer; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Fluorides - analysis; Male; Mammals; Metals; Outdoor air quality; Poland; Respiratory system; Short Research and Discussion; Short Research and Discussion Article; Spectral analysis; Spectrum analysis; Studies; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Poland; Roe deer; Cast antlers; Barium; Biomonitoring; Coal-burning
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6154-y

Concentrations of Ba, Zn, Pb, Fe, and Mn were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy in freshly cast antlers from male roe deer of different ages (2 to 4 years old and older than 4 years) collected in Balin near Chrzanów and in the vicinity of Żywiec, S Poland. Barium content ranged from 124 to 196 ppm (mean 165 ppm) in the Balin 12 samples and from 207 to 351 ppm (mean 287 ppm) in 3 antlers from Żywiec. The concentration of Ba was comparable to that of Zn (134–275 ppm, mean 169 ppm). Elevated concentrations of Ba in antlers most probably originated from direct uptake of airborne barite nanocrystals through the respiratory system and/or by digestion of barite-rich dust particles deposited on plants. Burning of Ba-enriched coals is regarded as the principal source of Ba in the investigated areas inhabited by roe deer. Increased concentrations of Ba in antlers from the Żywiec area compared to Balin reflect particularly high air pollution caused by coal-burning mostly for domestic purposes combined with an unfavorable topography that impedes efficient air circulation.