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Accumulation of Toxicants in Tadpoles of the Common Frog (Rana temporaria) in High Mountains

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Abstract

We analyzed the accumulation of inorganic and organic toxicants in tadpoles from nine populations of the common frog (Rana temporaria) at different altitudes of the Hohe Tauern National Park in Austria). Lead and cadmium concentrations in tadpoles increased with the acidity and metal-to-HCO –3 ratio in the water exceeding those found in tadpoles from agricultural areas. Organochlorines (DDTs, polychlorinated biphenyls, lindane) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons were present in all of the populations, but only DDTs accumulated significantly compared with the concentrations in their diet.

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Acknowledgments

Supported by the National Park Hohe Tauern.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Zoologie und Limnologie, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, Innsbruck, A-6020, Austria

    R. Hofer & R. Lackner

  2. Umweltbundesamt, Spittelauer Lände 5, Wien, A-1090, Germany

    G. Lorbeer

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  1. R. Hofer
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  2. R. Lackner
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  3. G. Lorbeer
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Correspondence to R. Hofer.

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Hofer, R., Lackner, R. & Lorbeer, G. Accumulation of Toxicants in Tadpoles of the Common Frog (Rana temporaria) in High Mountains. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 49, 192–199 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0188-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-004-0188-8

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