Exposure to Selected Elements and Health of Raccoons from Lake Depue

Levengood, Jeffrey M.; Amdor, Brett A.; Lichtensteiger, Carol A.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/2271 Copy

Description

Title

Exposure to Selected Elements and Health of Raccoons from Lake Depue

Author(s)

• Levengood, Jeffrey M.
• Amdor, Brett A.
• Lichtensteiger, Carol A.

Issue Date

2002

Keyword(s)

• Raccoons -- Effect of pollution on -- Illinois
• Zinc -- Environmental aspects
• Lead -- Environmental aspects
• Cadmium -- Environmental aspects
• Wildlife management areas -- Illinois
• Wildlife management -- Illinois
• DePue, Lake (Ill.) -- Environmental conditions

Abstract

Previous studies have documented elevated concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, zinc and other elements in soils and sediments in and around Lake DePue, Illinois, due to past zinc smelting operations. Concentrations of cadmium, zinc, and other selected elements in the blood, kidney, liver, and pancreas were determined for 29 raccoons collected during 1999-2000, at Lake DePue, Illinois, and reference sites in Bureau (Donnelley Fish and Wildlife Area [FWA]) and Champaign (University of Illinois [UI] Farms) Counties. In addition to the collection of tissues for the determination of analyte concentrations, post-mortem examinations were conducted, portions of kidney, liver, and pancreas were preserved for histopathological examination, and blood was collected for clinical pathology. The objectives were to (1) compare concentrations of selected elements, with emphasis on cadmium and zinc, in tissues of raccoons collected at Lake DePue with those of raccoons from reference sites and previously reported values for raccoons from Illinois, (2) examine the health of raccoons from Lake DePue relative to specimens from reference sites, and (3) examine the potential risks to other species of special concern (i.e. mink and otter), based upon concentrations of contaminants in raccoon tissues and reported effects/tissue levels in these species.

Publisher

Illinois Waste Management and Research Center and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Series/Report Name or Number

RR Series (Waste Management and Research Center) ; 093

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/2271

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