Mallard Anas platyrhynchos is a numerous and widespread duck of Northern Hemisphere. In some regions, it is an important component of the diet of local inhabitants. It may also serve as an effective bioindicator of pollutions in aquatic environments. In this study, we investigated trace elements concentrations in livers of 23 Mallards shot at fish pond complex during wintering in the Lublin region (SE Poland). The element concentrations followed the pattern: Fe >Mg > Ca > Zn > Cu > Mn > Se > Sr > Cd > Pb > Cr > V > Hg > As > Ni > Sc. Our study revealed lack of sex differences in hepatic element concentrations suggesting similar wintering areas of both sexes. At 8.7% of the examined individuals concentration of Pb was classified as subclinical toxicity or moderate clinical poisoning for Mallards. It indicates serious need for banning of the use of Pb hunting ammunition in those parts of Europe (in that in Poland) where it is still allowed. Such the ban should be established at least in wetlands and waterbodies. Groups of people especially prone to elevated concentration of toxic elements (e.g., pregnant women, children) should avoid consumption of meat originated from wildfowl.

绿头野鸭是北半球众多而广泛的鸭子。在某些地区，它是当地居民饮食的重要组成部分。它也可以作为水生环境污染的有效生物指示剂。在这项研究中，我们调查了卢布林地区（波兰东南部）越冬期间鱼塘综合体拍摄的23只绿头野鸭肝脏中微量元素的浓度。元素浓度遵循以下模式：Fe> Mg> Ca> Zn> Cu> Mn> Se> Sr> Cd> Pb> Cr> V> Hg> As> Ni> Sc。我们的研究表明，肝元素浓度缺乏性别差异，表明两个性别的越冬区域相似。在被调查者中，有8.7％的Pb浓度被归类为绿头鸭的亚临床毒性或中度临床中毒。这表明在欧洲仍允许使用铅狩猎弹药的那些地区（在波兰的那部分地区），迫切需要禁止使用Pb狩猎弹药。至少应在湿地和水体中建立这种禁令。尤其是有毒元素浓度较高的人群（例如孕妇，儿童）应避免食用野禽来源的肉。