Bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements in fish species from aquatic environments located in crowded areas of southern Romania

P Ionescu P Ionescu,V M Radu V M Radu,M Pipirigeanu M Pipirigeanu,Gy Deak Gy Deak,I E Ciobotaru I E Ciobotaru,E Marcu E Marcu,E Diacu E Diacu

doi:10.47577/technium.v1i.19

Abstract

Taking into consideration that fish are valuable bioindicators for assessing pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as heavy metals from aquatic environments, this study aimed to assess bioaccumulation factors in relation to water (BAF) and sediment (BASF) for the following potential toxic elements: Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn from 6 different fish species (Alburnus alburnus, Carassius gibelio, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, Ameiurus nebulosus, Perca fluviatilis, Lepomis gibbosus). Fish species have been captured from the waters of the Arges River (Hotarele village area) and the Colentina River (particularly from Mogosoaia, Herastrau and Panteliom lakes), from crowded areas located in the southern part of Romania. The results of the analysis indicated BAF values > 1 for the most fish species captured from the Colentina River. BASF values > 1 were obtained for BASFPb (Carassius gibelio - Arges River), BASFNi (Scardinius erythrophthalmus - Herastaru L. and Perca fluviatillis - Pantelimon L.), BASFCr (Perca fluviatillis - Pantelimon L.) and BASFZn (Alburnus alburnus and Scardinius erythrophthalmus - Mogosoaia L. and Carassius gibelio - Pantelimon L.). The obtained results can be used to describe the transfer of these elements from water and sediments to the fish tissue. 

Highlights

Www.techniumscience.com microorganisms, with the formation of a toxic final product, methylmercury, able to penetrate the food chain and to bioaccumulate in the aquatic organisms [15, 16]
Chromium (Cr) is an essential element for organisms, with the trivalent Cr having an essential role in glucidic metabolism
Uncontrolled development of constructions in urban areas, the lack of proper infrastructure and discharge of untreated municipal wastewaters is placing an unprecedented pressure on water quality and demand [20, 21]

Summary

Introduction

Www.techniumscience.com microorganisms, with the formation of a toxic final product, methylmercury, able to penetrate the food chain and to bioaccumulate in the aquatic organisms [15, 16]. Uncontrolled development of constructions in urban areas, the lack of proper infrastructure and discharge of untreated municipal wastewaters is placing an unprecedented pressure on water quality and demand [20, 21]. În this context, the study aimed to assess bioaccumulation factors in relation to water (BAF) and sediment (BASF) for the potential toxic elements (PTEs) such as Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn from different fish species captured from aquatic environments located în the crowded areas from the southern part of Romania. All samples were kept at 4 °C during their transport to the laboratory

Objectives

Findings

Methods