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Anthropogenic lead in Amazonian wildlife

Author

Listed:
  • Mar Cartró-Sabaté

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

  • Pedro Mayor

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
    Museo de Culturas Indígenas Amazónicas
    Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia)

  • Martí Orta-Martínez

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
    Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya
    Universidad San Francisco de Quito
    Erasmus University Rotterdam)

  • Antoni Rosell-Melé

    (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
    Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats)

Abstract

Lead levels and isotopic fingerprints in 315 free-ranging animals belonging to 18 wild game species in four remote areas of the Peruvian Amazon provide a comprehensive picture of anthropogenic lead pollution in tropical rainforests. The high average concentration of lead (0.49 mg kg−1 wet weight) in livers from Amazonian wild game is comparable to the levels of lead in industrialized countries and mining areas. Although hunting ammunition is probably the main source of lead in wildlife, oil-related pollution is also a major source of contaminant lead in areas in which oil is extracted. Owing to the extended use of lead shot in subsistence hunting worldwide and the ever-encroaching oil-extraction industry in tropical rainforests, these results uncover important health risks to tropical wildlife and local communities that rely on subsistence hunting.

Suggested Citation

  • Mar Cartró-Sabaté & Pedro Mayor & Martí Orta-Martínez & Antoni Rosell-Melé, 2019. "Anthropogenic lead in Amazonian wildlife," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(8), pages 702-709, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:2:y:2019:i:8:d:10.1038_s41893-019-0338-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0338-7
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