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Metal Concentrations in Tissues of Meadow Voles from Sewage Sludge-Treated Fields¹

ABSTRACT

Food-chain uptake of Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu by meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) was assessed in wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Ranger) and old-field plant communities receiving sludge or fertilizer applications. Sixteen 0.1-ha enclosures received either 8,963 kg ha^–1 year^–1 Milorganite (6-2-0, N-P-K) or 1,569 kg ha^–1 year^–1 ureaphosphate fertilizer (34-11-0), or were untreated (controls).

Mean Cd concentrations in livers and kidneys of voles (all age/sex groups) from sludge-treated fields in the second year of application were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than controls; in the first year only females from sludge-treated wheat fields had higher levels than controls. Ranges of mean Cd concentrations in voles from sludge-treated fields were 0.1–1.1 µg g^–1 wet weight in liver samples and 0.4–6.6 µg g^–1 in kidneys; ranges in controls were 0.01–0.04 µg g^–1 in liver and 0.01–1.6 µg g^–1 in kidneys. Cadmium concentrations in voles from fertilizer-treated fields did not differ from controls.

Liver and kidney Cu concentrations were elevated in some age/sex groups from sludge- and fertilizer-treated fields. There were no treatment differences in Pb or Zn concentrations, nor in organ or whole-body weights.

Short-term (2-year) effects on mammals of sludge application to land appear to be benign, despite accumulation of metals in vital organs.

Key Words: toxicity • lungs • gonads • bluegrass • fescue

¹ Contribution of the Dep. of Zoology, Miami Univ., Oxford, Ohio, and the Inst. of Environmental Health, Kettering Laboratory, Univ. of Cincinnati, Ohio.

² Environmental Toxicologist, Planning and Environmental Systems Division, Dalton-Dalton-Newport, 3605 Warrensville Center Rd., Cleveland, OH 44122; Professor, Dep. of Zoology, Miami Univ., Oxford, OH 45056; and Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, and Research Associate, respectively, Inst. of Environmental Health, Kettering Laboratory, Univ. of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267; respectively.

Received for publication July 23, 1981.

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