Mercury Concentration in Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Hair at Two Sites in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia)

This study focuses on assessing mercury (Hg) concentrations in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair at two sites – Strážov Hills and Belianske Tatry Mountains in Slovakia, within the Western Carpathians. The objective of the study was to assess mercury contamination in these ecosystems and to compare its levels between two sites, which differ in elevation and habitats. Mercury contamination, measured in mg/kg (ppm), was detected in all hair samples from both sites (N = 102). Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.0135 mg/kg to 1.2949 mg/kg, with the lowest and highest values recorded at the higher elevation site, the Belianske Tatry Mountains. The average values were also higher in the Belianske Tatry Mountains (0.29 mg/kg) than in the Strážov Hills (0.22 mg/kg). Despite this, the difference between the two sites was not statistically significant. This research contributes to the knowledge on the levels of mercury contamination in natural ecosystems and its possible impact on large predators such as the brown bear.