2023 Ecosystem Transformation 6 (5), 118-133

Mercury content in the organs of small mammals in different geomorphological regions of the taiga zone of the European part of Russia

Ivanova E.S., Rumiantseva O.Yu., Udodenko Yu. G.  , Eltsova L.S., Komov V.T.  

The content of total mercury in organs and tissues (brain, muscles, kidneys, and liver) has been studied in common shrew and in common vole, living in different geomorphological regions of the Vologda Oblast. Mercury content is statistically significantly higher (2–5 times) in common shrew than in common vole. In common shrew, average mercury content (μg/g dry weight) decreases in the series: kidneys (0.158 ± 0.016) > liver (0.086 ± 0.01) > muscles (0.084 ± 0.011) > brain (0.059 ± 0.006); in common vole, kidneys (0.026 ± 0.003) > brain (0.024 ±0.004) > muscles (0.016 ±0.003) > liver (0.013 ± 0.002). Mercury content in organs of common shrew and of common vole, caught in the western geomorphological region with high swampiness and a large number of lakes, is statistically significantly higher (2–3 times) comparing to those captured in the eastern geomorphological region with a developed river network.

E. S. Ivanova
Cherepovets State University
pr. Lunacharskogo 5, Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, 162600 Russia

Ph.D. in Biology, senior researcher

O. Yu. Rumiantseva
Cherepovets State University
pr. Lunacharskogo 5, Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, 162600 Russia

researcher

Yu. G. Udodenko
Cherepovets State University
pr. Lunacharskogo 5, Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, 162600 Russia

I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl region, 152742 Russia

PhD in Biology, research scientist
udu@mail.ru

L. S. Eltsova
Cherepovets State University
pr. Lunacharskogo 5, Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, 162600 Russia

researcher

V. T. Komov
I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, principal research scientist
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl Region, 152742 Russia

Cherepovets State University
Pr. Lunacharskogo 5, Cherepovets, Vologda Region, 162600

Doctor of Science in Biology, Professor
vkomov@ibiw.yaroslavl.ru

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