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(W/FF230) Metal accumulation in relation to the area of raising cattle from Asturias (Northern Spain) . Alonso, Marta1,2, Benedito, José L.1, Shore, Richard2, Castillo, Cristina1, Hernández, Joaquín1, Miranda, Marta1, 1 2 ABSTRACT- Asturias (North Spain) is a region with a large industrial and mining area located in the centre of the region. The rest of the territory is especially rural, and cattle production is the most important form of agriculture. Industrial and agricultural development has been responsible for the diffusion of heavy metals in the environment, these metals are accumulated in soils and edible plants, and when animals are fed with these plants, they accumulated high levels of toxic metals in their organism. For these reasons, Asturias may deserve special attention with regard to possible heavy metal contamination in livestock. The aim of this study is evaluate if there are differences in heavy metal (As, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) accumulation in cattle in connection to the area of raising. Samples of liver, kidney, muscle and blood of 312 animals were collected in Asturias slaughterhouses in 1997. Samples were acid digested and were determined by AAS, As by hydride generation, Cd and Pb by graphite furnace and Cu and Zn by flame. The animals raised in the industrialised area had statistically significant higher levels of Pb and Cd and lower levels of Cu in the liver and kidney than animals from the rural area. In the muscle and blood the levels were also higher for Pb and Cd and lower for Cu in the industrialised area, but differences were not statistically significative. In the case of As and Zn no significant statistical differences were found. Key words: cattle, metal accumulation, pollution, Asturias |
