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Non-destructive mercury exposure assessment in the Brandt’s hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas): spines as indicators of endogenous concentrations

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Abstract

Due to its persistence, bioaccumulation characteristics, and toxicity, environmental contamination with mercury (Hg) is of high concern for human health, living organisms, and ecosystems, and its biological monitoring is highly relevant. In this study, the levels of total Hg were measured in organs, tissues, and spines of 50 individuals of Brandt’s hedgehog collected in Iran in 2019. The Hg median levels in kidneys, liver, muscle, and spines were 156, 47, 47, and 20 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the levels of Hg in kidneys and liver (r = 0.519; p < 0.01) and in spines and muscle (r = 0.337, p < 0.01) and kidneys (r = 0.309, p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in Hg levels in organs and tissues were also observed depending on the sex, weight, length, and age of the individuals. In addition, the median levels of total Hg in kidneys of Brandt’s hedgehogs from an agricultural ecotype (median 190 ± 65) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those collected from a forest ecotype (median 126 ± 50), suggesting that the habitat could have a significant impact on animal contamination.

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Funding

This work was funded by the University of Zabol, Project code PR-UOZ 1400-2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Zabol, Zabol, Sistan, Iran

    Reza Dahmardeh Behrooz

  2. Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium

    Giulia Poma

  3. Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), San 31, Hyoja-dong, Nam-gu, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea

    Mandana Barghi

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RDB—conceptualization, formal analysis, data curation, investigation, writing—original draft preparation; GP and MB—methodology, writing—review and editing. All authors have read and agreed to the current version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Reza Dahmardeh Behrooz.

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Dahmardeh Behrooz, R., Poma, G. & Barghi, M. Non-destructive mercury exposure assessment in the Brandt’s hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas): spines as indicators of endogenous concentrations. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 56502–56510 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19926-0

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