Roe deer antlers as bioindicators of environmental pollution in southern Poland

Abstract

Roe deer antlers from three southern forest regions in Poland exposed to industrial pollution and from Białowieża Forest were investigated with regard to heavy metal and sulphur content. Zinc, lead, cadmium, iron and chromium occurred at higher levels in the antlers from the investigated regions than in the controls. The heavy metal pollution index shows that the greatest pollution by heavy metals occurs in Ojców National Park as well as in Silesian forests. Niepołomice Forest is contaminated mainly by derivatives of sulphur dioxide. Roe deer antlers appear to be sensitive indicators of industrial pollution in the forest ecosystem. Furthermore they are valuable bioindicators since they comprise the pollution sample accumulated in 130 days of growth and also because they may be available every year in great quantity.