Anthropogenic pollution may impose additional pressure to European populations of large protected carnivores due to the systemic toxicity of contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and radiocaesium (137Cs), among the most prominent examples. Our aim was to carry out 137Cs, radiopotassium (40K), and stable element distribution analysis through seven tissues of grey wolves (Canis lupus) from temperate forests of Croatia using the ultra-low background gamma-ray spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, respectively. In addition, radiolead (210Pb) massic activity was quantified in femoral bone. The massic activity of ¹³⁷Cs in the heart, kidney, liver, spleen, lungs, and femoral bone (listed in decreasing order) ranged from 9–61% relative to muscle and was strongly correlated within tissues. Correlations between radionuclides and their stable analogues in wolf tissues highlight the uncertainty in using stable element data in radiological risk assessment. In addition, site-specific transfer parameters (concentration ratio, CRwhole organism-soil) derived from stable element data should be applied with caution when radionuclide data are lacking. In general, radionuclides and elements not under homeostatic regulation in grey wolves were in line or lower than massic activities and levels reported for other populations, especially the ones from sub-Arctic regions. Although apex terrestrial predators, wolves of temperate ecosystems are not currently at risk of adverse health effects from exposure to the most relevant inorganic anthropogenic pollutants.

LAZARUS Maja;  SKOKO Božena;  HULT Mikael;  ORCT Tatjana;  FERENČAKOVIĆ Maja;  COHA Ivana;  JOSIP Kusak;  RELJIĆ Slaven;  MARISSENS Gerd;  STROH Heiko; 

2026-05-14

MDPI

JRC146557

2305-6304 (online),   

https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/14/5/425,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC146557,   

10.3390/toxics14050425 (online),