Accumulation of heavy metals in the kidneys and liver of voles and shrews from the influence zone of the Norilsk industrial region

The industrial pollution in the Norilsk industrial region and its continuous adverse impact on the local ecosystem un derscore the need to study how chemical substances enter and accumulate in living organisms. This study aimed to investigate the accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb) in the kidneys and livers of voles and shrews in habiting areas adjacent to the Nadezhdinsky Metallurgical Plant and the Copper Plant. Animals were captured at sites located an average of 9.2 km from industrial emission sources. A total of 48 kidney and liver samples were analyzed, comprising 24 samples from voles and 24 from shrews. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with plasma and electrothermal atomization using a Kvant-2mt spectrometer. The results indicated that zinc was distributed more homogeneously in the organs of both voles and shrews than the other metals, with its concentration varying 3.8 to 10.5 times less. In contrast, copper exhibited the greatest variability, particularly inrenal tissue, reflecting considerable individual variation in kidney Cu accumulation. Variability analysis further confirmed that the toxic elements exhibited the highest coefficients of variation. Furthermore, pronounced organ-specificdifferences in metal accumulation were observed. The kidneys of both voles and insectivores contained significantly higher levels of copper, cadmium, and lead (P < 0.01–0.001) than their livers. Diet also influenced accumulation patterns, as insectivorous shrews showed elevated concentrations of Cu, Cd, and Pb in their organs relative to herbivorousvoles. Consequently, these findings provide valuable baseline data for assessing the impact of industrial pollution on small mammals and can inform future environmental monitoring in affected areas.