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Abstract
Wildlife inhabiting environments containing anthropogenic contaminants may incorporate these contaminants into their tissues, which may act as a potential vector of exposure to human consumers. In addition to environmental contaminants, hunters may also be exposed to contaminants introduced into the muscle tissue of game animals during harvest when using shot made of toxic materials. I compared contaminant concentrations in the tissues of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), inhabiting the Savannah River Site (SRS), an area of known contamination, to those inhabiting relatively uncontaminated areas. I found that mercury (Hg) concentrations in the muscle and liver tissues of birds inhabiting SRS, were greater than those in relatively uncontaminated areas. In addition, I found contaminant concentrations in the muscle tissue of turkeys harvested with standard lead shot did not differ from those harvested with copper-coated lead shot. Finally, I found that the majority of this contamination was confined to the wound channel.