TRACE-METAL CONTENT OF LIVERS AND KIDNEYS OF CATTLE

Results are presented for the levels of As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Se and Zn, as determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in the livers and kidneys of 190 cattle from 8 different locations in New South Wales [Australia]. The mean and range for each of the trace metals, in parts 10-6, in livers and kidneys, respectively, were as follows: as 0.013 (n.d.-0.09) and 0.018 (n.d.-0.10); Cd 0.08 (n.d.-0.80) and 0.43 (0.02-10.7); Cr 0.05 (n.d.-1.0) and 0.03 (n.d.-0.22); Co 0.07 (n.d.-0.45) and 0.03 (n.d.-0.25); Cu 18.0 (0.81-82.8) and 3.9 (1.84-9.2); Pb 0.14 (n.d.-0.85) and 0.22 (n.d.-2.29); mn 2.72 (1.11-4.09) and 1.07 (0.58-1.67); Hg 0.005 (n.d.-0.050) and 0.006 (n.d.-0.177); Mo 0.88 (n.d.-2.41) and 0.31 (n.d.-1.85); Ni 0.33 (n.d.-4.82) and 0.46 (n.d.-5.80); Se 0.17 (0.01-0.63) and 1.10 (0.47-1.77); Zn 37.5 (13.4-99.2) and 18.6 (12.9-31.6). Significant differences were observed in the trace metal levels in livers and kidneys from the different regions and between the trace metal levels in livers and kidneys from the same region. The accuracy of the methods was confirmed by analysis of NBS No. 1577 Bovine Liver.