Trace metals from historical mining sites and past metallurgical activity remain bioavailable to wildlife today

• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20983-0
• Publication Date: 2018-02-15T17:04:51Z
• Authors: Estelle Camizuli; Renaud Scheifler; Stéphane Garnier; Fabrice Monna; Rémi Losno; Claude Gourault; Gilles Hamm; Caroline Lachiche; Guillaume Delivet; Carmela Chateau; Paul Alibert
• Keywords: TRACE (psycholinguistics)

Throughout history, ancient human societies exploited mineral resources all over the world, even in areas that are now protected and considered to be relatively pristine. Here, we show past mining still has an impact on wildlife some French areas. We measured cadmium, copper, lead, zinc concentrations topsoils wood mouse kidneys from sites located Cévennes Morvan. The maximum levels of metals these one or two orders magnitude greater than their commonly reported mean values European topsoils. transfer biota was effective, as lead concentration (and a lesser extent, cadmium) increased with soil concentration, unlike copper zinc, providing direct evidence emitted environment several centuries ago is bioavailable free-ranging mammals. negative correlation between kidney animal body condition suggests historical activity may continue play role complex relationships trace metal pollution indices. Ancient could therefore used assess long-term fate soils subsequent risks health environment.