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Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in the livers, kidneys and muscles of 15 bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and two striped (Stenella coeruleoalba) dolphins, stranded dead along the Croatian Adriatic coast from 1990 to 1999. Cd concentrations (μg/g wet weight (w.w.)) ranged from 0.004 to 0.670 in muscle, from 0.004 to 1.842 in kidney and from 0.004 to 2.548 in liver tissues. Similarly, total Pb concentrations (μg/g w.w.) ranged from 0.01 to 0.46 in muscles, from 0.01 to 0.95 in kidneys and from 0.01 to 2.38 in livers. Cd and Pb concentrations revealed no signifi cant differences between adults (n = 10 ; >6 years) and juveniles (n = 7 ; liver>muscle, which is a typical Cd distribution pattern. Signifi cant positive correlations of Cd concentrations were found between livers and kidneys (r = 0.63, P = 0.015), and livers and muscles (r = 0.74, P = 0.0008). Furthermore, a signifi cant positive correlation of Pb concentrations was determined between kidneys and muscles (r = 0.75, P = 0.001), opposite to the signifi cant negative correlation between liver and muscle Pb concentrations (r = -0.66, P = 0.004). Our study reports the Cd and Pb concentrations in tissues of the most abundant delphinid species in the Adriatic Sea, sampled over a 10-year period. These data are required for future studies on toxic metal accumulations and their dynamics in Adriatic dolphins and in the Adriatic environment.

Results presented are part of the first going on comprehensive investigation on the toxic heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd) contamination in game animals in Croatia. During regular hunting procedures samples (muscle, liver, kidney) of wild boar of 3 different age groups (piglets, < 1 year, n = 17 ; middle-aged animals, around 2 years, n =12 ; adults, >3 years, n =11) from the low land area of Croatia were collected. Concentrations of metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry and are expressed in &micro ; ; g/g wet weight. Statistical evaluation of results was made by calculating medians and mean values to enable further statistical procedure. In muscle tissue the lowest median concentration was measured for Cd (0.0019 &micro ; ; g/g), lead was present in slightly higher median concentration (0.002 &micro ; ; g/g) while median Hg concentration was the highest (0.009 &micro ; ; g/g). Statistically significant different Cd concentrations were determinated in piglets comparing to middle-aged and adults animals (p

Roe deer tissues (muscle, liver and kidney: 21 sample severally) collected from northern region of Croatia regardless of age and sex in 1990.-1995. were analysed for cadmium. This toxic heavy metal occured in low concentration in muscle tissue, but livers and especially kidneys were more contaminated. 43% of liver samples and 90% of kidney samples exceeded maximal permissible values and were unfit for human consumption. Concentrations in mg kg-1 on wet weight basis were: 0.003-0.065, 0.015-2.306 and 0.223-27.686 for muscle, liver and kidney respectively. The values obtained were compared with available literature data.

Heavy metal contaminated fish food is a significant source of increased heavy metal levels in intensively bred fish. Concentration of Hg, Pb and Cd in muscle and liver tissues of rainbow trout originated from two fish farms in Croatia during the period 1978-1989. did not exceed MAC with the exception of Cd in a few samples, while in the majority of food samples cadmium concentration was above MAC as regulated by law.