Concentrations of heavy metals in brain tissues of Spermophilus dauricus in Harbin region

Objective To detect concentrations of heavy metals such as Pb,As,and Hg in brain tissues of Spermophilus dauricus.Methods Spermophilus dauricus of thirteen to twenty-two months old were captured in Daoli and Xiangfang district of Harbin municipality and their cerebral cortex tisues were collected.Pb,As,and Hg in the cerebral cortex tissues were detected with atomic fluorescence spectrometer.Results The concentration of Pb,As,and Hg in the brain tissues of Spermorphilus dauricus from Daoli was 49.4±32.5,47.6±28.5,and 4.3±1.8 μg/kg and that of from Xiangfang district was 90.1±45.0,23.0±18.0,and 4.7±0.9 μg/kg,respectively.There were no significant differences in the concentrations of Pb,Hg between the Spermophilus danricus from different districts (P>0.05),but the concentrations of As in the Spermophilus dauricus from Daoli was significantly higher than that of from Xiangf and district (P<0.05).Conclusion Pb,As and Hg could be detected in the brain tissues of Spermophilus dauricus,which indicate the level of heavy metal contimination of the environment.