BIOACCUMULATION OF METALS IN TISSUES AND HELMINTHS OF HARES IN KARDZHALI REGION

This study was aimed to evaluate content of heavy metals in Lepus europeas Pallas 1778 and its helminth Trichuris sylvilagi (Nematoda) in Kardzhali region, Bulgaria. The contents of Cd, Pb, Zn, Mo, Mn, and Co were determined in liver, kidney, muscle and helminths. A metal bioaccumulation factors were calculated. Significant differences in the concentrations were found between parasites and host tissues. The content of Zn, Pb and Cd was higher in the nematodes than in the hare tissues. The studied model could be a promising bioindication system to evaluate the ecological state in terrestrial habitats