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Lead concentrations in organs and tissues of the wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus, Linnaeus, 1758) in the north of Krasnoyarsk Region

P.V. Kochkarev, M.A. Perevozchikova, A.A. Sergeev, V.V. Shiryaev

Section: Chemistry of natural environments and objects

Lead (Pb) is a hazardous toxicant. Elevated lead content in the environment can have a significantly affect health, reproductive success and survival of wild animals. The studies determined lead concentrations in forage plants, skeletal muscles, liver, kidneys and mammary glands of adult female wild reindeer (Rangifer tarandus, Linnaeus, 1758) in the background and contaminated areas of Russian Krasnoyarsk region during the feeding period of young animals. ANOVA-tests revealed a significant relationship (p=0.00) of the territorial factor and lead concentration in the liver, kidneys and skeletal muscles of female reindeer. The lead content in the body of reindeer in the study area is comparable with similar data from the subarctic regions of Eurasia and North America and is significantly (p<0.05) higher in contaminated sites in all indicator organs and tissues, compared to background areas. The reduced liver lead content of lactating females compared to non-lactating females in contaminated areas may indicate endogenous Pb transfer to the offspring during pregnancy and lactation. The main source of lead intake by reindeer is probably willows and sedges, in particular Salix lanata and Carex arctisibirica, which concentrate this metal in the above-ground phytomass and are important forage for reindeer during the active vegetation period. The meat and internal organs of half of the wild reindeer females that fed at contaminated pastures in the summer–autumn period are not suitable for human consumption. The results make a new contribution to the study of pollutant effect on terrestrial biota in subarctic regions and highlight the potential for combined use of game management and ecotoxicology methods for future efforts in biomonitoring, conservation and management of economically important wild animal species.

Keywords: Rangifer tarandus, wild reindeer, females, lead, lactation, mammary gland, liver, kidneys, muscles, pollution

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Article published in number 4 for 2025
DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2025-4-094-106