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Cadmium Accumulation in Plants and Animals of Polluted and Nonpolluted Grasslands¹

ABSTRACT

Cadmium concentrations in soils, plants, and animals from two sites in southwestern Montana were determined. Primary emphasis was placed upon agriculturally important plants and animals. One of the sites had a history of pollution from a smelter complex, while the second had no history of industrial contamination.

Determination of extractable Cd in soils collected at intervals along a line from the smelter to the polluted study site showed that this smelter was probably the source of the high soil Cd levels. Soils, plants, and animals from the polluted study area showed marked elevations in Cd concentrations compared to the nonpolluted site. Average Cd levels in vegetative samples from polluted and nonpolluted areas were: grasses (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. and Stipa comata Trin. & Rupr.), 1.72 and 0.07; alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), 0.83 and 0.06; and barley grain (Hordeum vulgare L.), 0.65 and 0.08 ppm, respectively. Average levels in animal tissues were: cattle liver, 0.34 and 0.06; cattle kidney, 1.67 and 0.22; swine liver, 0.24 and 0.14; swine kidney, 0.99 and 0.39 ppm Cd from the polluted and nonpolluted sites, respectively.

Key Words: cattle • swine • cycling • food chain • pollution

¹ This contribution submitted as Montana Agric. Exp. Stn. J. Series 734. Part of this study was conducted by the author as research for his dissertation at the Univ. of Montana; however, the work was completed at Montana State Univ. under funding provided by the Montana Power Co.

² Research Associate, Animal and Range Sci. Dep., Montana State Univ., Boseman, MT 59715.

Received for publication December 23, 1976.