Abstract
Accumulation and depuration of metals by an organism are underrepresented in the literature. We collected southern toads (Bufo terrestris) from coal by-product (ash)-contaminated and uncontaminated sites to examine metal concentrations over time. Toads were placed in four exposure regimes, then sacrificed periodically over a 5-month period, and whole-body metal levels were measured. Toads exposed to ash accumulated significant concentrations of metals. Metal concentrations changed throughout the experiment, and profiles of accumulation and depuration differed depending on the metal and exposure regime. Ash-exposed toads exhibited elevated levels of 11 of 18 metals measured. Increases ranged from 47.5% for Pb to more than 5000% for As. Eight of 18 metals did not change in control toads, while 10 of 18 metals decreased in toads removed from ash, ranging from −25% for Co to −96% for Tl. Seven metals that decreased in toads removed from ash did not change in control toads.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank A. Appel, C. Guyer, K. Navara, P. Kahn, C. Schmaeman and M. Grilliot for their comments on this manuscript. We would also like to thank W. Hopkins for all of his help. C. Guyer and N. Liu assisted with project design. R. Birkhead, N. Hall, T. Smith, J. Thill, C. Fontes, E. Carnahan, J. Pitchford, and D. Rues assisted in running this project. Thank you too P. West, G. Weeks, and B. Staub for their help with metal analysis. M. Eubanks was a huge help with statistical analysis.
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Ward, C., Hassan, S. & Mendonça, M. Accumulation and Depuration of Trace Metals in Southern Toads, Bufo terrestris, Exposed to Coal Combustion Waste. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 56, 268–275 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9179-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9179-5