Margaret M. Andrews, Jane Allen
Aerial deposition of cadmium before and after the closure of an oil-fired power station in the vicinity of two nursery roosts of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae)
Aerial deposition of cadmium has been monitored from 1994-1995 to the
present by extraction of cadmium from petroleum jelly coated onto ceramic
tiles placed near two nursery roosts and in the foraging area of greater horseshoe
bats, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. The mean cadmium deposit from
aerial precipitation recorded in the area from 1994-1995 at locations which
were upwind of the power station was 0.11 ± 0.05 mg/kg/mm rain per day
compared with 1.01 ± 1.60 mg/kg/mm rain per day at locations downwind.
After the oil-fired power station closed in 1996 subsequent analysis from
1998-2000 showed a slight increase in cadmium precipitation at upwind
locations (0.22 ± 0.06 mg/kg/mm rain per day) but a decrease at the downwind
locations (0.32 ± 0.07 mg/kg/mm rain per day). After closure of the oilfired
power station near the bat roosts the aerial deposition of cadmium
downwind was reduced but continued monitoring of the cadmium precipitation
in the area is indicated since cadmium deposition still occurs. The
deposits of cadmium have not had a major impact on the number of adult
bats which have increased from 1994 to 2000. The findings made in this
study have implications for conservation of the greater horseshoe bats which
are at the Northern limit of their distribution.
Mammalia, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 0025-1461
Volume: 68, 12/2004
Pages: 437 - 444
Show full article (external site)
Show all available items of this journal
Search
