Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine contents of cadmium and lead in the liver, kidneys, and blood of hares taken in the neighbourhood of Cracow. In total 164 liver 163 kidneys and 156 blood samples were analysed. The highest contents of cadmium and lead were found in organs of hares taken west of Cracow (Cd_liv. – 2.27 mg•kg^-1 wet weight; Cd_kidn. – 26.10 mg•kg^-1 w.w.; Pb_liv. – 1.67 mg•kg^-1 w.w.; Pb_kidn. – 1.50 mg•kg^-1 w.w.). Also a considerable cadmium content was found south of Cracow (Cd_liv. – 1.91 mg•kg^-1 w.w.; Cd_kidn. – 14.96 mg•kg^-1 w.w.). High concentrations of heavy metals in the western part of the study area resulted from a considerable industrial pollution of the environment, while a high cadmium content in the southern part was the result of a high plant capacity to assimilate this element from acid soils rich in cadmium. Hares in the northern part of the study area cumulated in both organs several times less cadmium than individuals in the western part (industrial area). It was found that cadmium content in the livers and kidneys of hares increases with increase of their age, while no such a relationship was found in the case of lead. Concentration of heavy metals found in organs of hares in the Cracow area was one of the highest in Poland and Europe, and most of the livers and kidneys were unfit for consumption according to Polish standards. Results of this study seem to indicate that European hare, being a typically resident species, may be used as a bioindicator of environmental pollution with cadmium and lead.