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Ecotoxicology (London, England)2009; 18(4); 417-428; doi: 10.1007/s10646-009-0296-3

Evaluation of pastures for horses grazing on soils polluted by trace elements.

Abstract: Pasture established on polluted soil may pose a risk to grazing livestock creating a requirement for mechanical management which may affect biodiversity and expend energy. The risk associated with managing pasture by grazing horses (non-edible livestock) is being assessed in the Guadiamar Valley (SW Spain), where soils are polluted with trace elements following a major pollution incident. Soil pollution does not affect biomass production or floristic composition of pasture, although both variables influence trace element accumulation in herbage. Element concentrations in herbage are below maximum tolerable limits for horses. Faecal analysis showed regulated absorption of essential elements, while non-essential elements seemed preferentially excreted. Elemental content of horse hair did not differ in animals from polluted and control pastures. If pastures are managed by grazing, periodic monitoring is recommended in view of the long-term chronic trace element exposure in these systems.
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Publication Date: 2009-02-03 PubMed ID: 19189215DOI: 10.1007/s10646-009-0296-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the impact of grazing horses on pastures established on soils polluted by trace elements in the Guadiamar Valley, Spain. The study discusses the effects of soil pollution on biomass production, floristic composition of the pasture, and trace element accumulation within the plants.

Purpose of the Study

  • The study was conducted to evaluate the risks associated with managing pastures by grazing horses, particularly in areas where soils are polluted with trace elements. The Guadiamar Valley in southwest Spain, a region known for a major pollution incident, was chosen for this investigation.

Findings on Biomass Production and Floristic Composition

  • The research found that soil pollution does not affect the biomass production or the floristic composition of the pasture. These findings suggest that pastures can flourish despite the presence of trace elements in the soil.
  • However, it was noted that both biomass production and floristic composition influenced the accumulation of trace elements in the herbage (vegetation eaten by grazing livestock).

Trace Element Concentration in Herbage

  • The study revealed that the concentrations of trace elements in the herbage were below maximum tolerable limits for horses. This suggests a certain degree of safety for horses grazing on polluted pastures.

Faecal Analysis of Horses

  • Faecal analysis of the horses showed that essential elements were regulated in terms of absorption, while non-essential elements seemed to be preferentially excreted. This indicates that horses’ digestive systems can filter and manage the intake of different elements from the vegetation they consume.

Elemental Content Analysis in Horse Hair

  • The elemental content of horse hair did not differ in animals from polluted and control pastures. This may suggest that soil pollution does not have a substantial impact on the bioaccumulation of trace elements in horses.

Recommendation

  • In the light of potential risks from long-term chronic trace element exposure, the researchers recommend periodic monitoring when managing pastures through grazing.

Cite This Article

APA
Madejón P, Domínguez MT, Murillo JM. (2009). Evaluation of pastures for horses grazing on soils polluted by trace elements. Ecotoxicology, 18(4), 417-428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-009-0296-3

Publication

Ecotoxicology (London, England)
ISSN: 1573-3017
NlmUniqueID: 9885956
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Pages: 417-428

Researcher Affiliations

Madejón, P
  • Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain. pmadejon@irnase.csic.es
Domínguez, M T
    Murillo, J M

      MeSH Terms

      • Animal Husbandry / methods
      • Animals
      • Biomass
      • Feces / chemistry
      • Hair / chemistry
      • Horses
      • Linear Models
      • Metals, Heavy / analysis
      • Plants / chemistry
      • Principal Component Analysis
      • Seasons
      • Soil Pollutants / analysis
      • Spain

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 9 times.
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