Biomonitoring of Lead and Fluoride Contamination in Forests Using Chemical Analysis of Hard Tissues of Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)

Our study assesses environmental lead and fluoride pollution in West Pomeranian forests in Poland, on the basis of chemical analysis of antlers and skull bones of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) from the surroundings of Szczecin and Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland. Lead was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, and fluorides by using an ion-selective electrode. Our study indicates greater lead contamination in the forests near Drawsko Pomorskie than in the forests near Szczecin. The cause may be their long-term exploitation as a military area. The roe deer population near Szczecin is exposed to increased fluoride pollution, but the concentration of fluoride in hard tissues of roe deer has diminished considerably in comparison with data collected 10 years prior to our study.