Effect of Urbanization in the Parisian Agglomeration (France) on the Trace Elements Concentrations in Kidneys, Liver and Spines in the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus Europaeus): Can We Use it as a Bioindicator Species?

Abstract

Urbanized environments may be suitable for some wild species, like the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). However, the (sub)urban areas are source of several pollutants, such as trace elements (TE). The main objective of our study is to investigate the role of the European hedgehog as a potential bioindicator species for seven TE (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in a big urban agglomeration. We analyzed kidneys, liver and spines of 50 European hedgehogs. Moreover, we carried out geomatic analysis with 31 individuals to examine the effects of human pressure (human density and urbanization) on TE concentrations in tissues. We detected the 7 TE in all tissues. However, concentration in spines were not correlated with internal tissues, except for Zn. Human density was correlated with Pb in the kidneys, and with Pb, Ni, Cu in the liver. Urbanization was correlated with Pb, Zn in the liver and kidneys, and with Zn in the spines. We concluded that the European hedgehogs can be a good bioindicator of TE especially in urban areas.

Keywords: non-invasive sample, metals, biomonitoring, urbanization.