Small Mammals as Monitors of Environmental Contaminants

摘要: The merit of using small mammals as monitors environmental contaminants was assessed data from the published literature. Information located on 35 species 7 families used to monitor heavy metals, radionuclides, and organic chemicals at mine sites, industrial areas, hazardous radioactive waste disposal agricultural forested land. To document foodchain transfer chemicals, concentrations in soil, vegetation, invertebrates, where available, were included. most commonly trapped North American Peromyscus leucopus, Blarina brevicauda, Microtus pennsylvanicus. In these species, exposure determined tissue residue analyses, biochemical assays, cytogenetic assays. Where enough information suitable target tissues, or biological assays for specific noted. general, there a relationship between soil food, tissues several species. This obvious nonessential cadmium, lead, mercury fluoride. Kidney single best analyses inorganic contaminants. However, bone should be choice both lead fluorine. Exposure also successfully documented histopathological endpoints. Bone 90Sr, whereas muscle an appropriate 137Cs. For contaminants, endpoints depended chemical(s) concern. Liver whole-body well enzyme changes, organ histology, genotoxicity, and, one case, population dynamics, Based studies, each species' suitability contaminant type evaluated subsequently ranked. A trophic level emerged. Insectivores (shrews) had highest levels followed by omnivores (cricetid mice) with intermediate levels, herbivores (voles) lowest levels. substantial number biomonitoring studies collectively point importance food habits habitat mammals, their availability abundance factors that influence selection monitoring studies. under consideration appropriateness selected are important consider when deciding whether not include