Abstract
This paper provides information on the vertical distribution of cadmium and lead in the sediments, the amounts of the elements in the surface- and rain water, in selected fish organs, contents of their alimentary tracts, and in some plant species of the świdwie Lake ecosystem. The levels and distribution of the analysed metals in the lake sediments gave evidence of their anthropogenic origin. The distribution of cadmium and lead in the organs and alimentary tracts of fishes, and especially the low level of the elements in fishes and plants suggests that the metals are linked to the abiotic components of the lake environment and they are not easily accessible for the organisms. The best bio-indicators of the pollution-level with cadmium and lead in the lake ecosystem are: the rudd, Scardinius erythrophtalmus L. and the roots of cattail, Typha angustifolia.
Highlights
The natural circulation of elements has been subjected to various alterations resulting from the environmental pollution caused by human economy
The lead and cadmium contents in the fish tissues were determined with the flame atomic absorption spectrometry method (FAAS) with the use of Varian Techtron A 1200 apparatus
Cadmium and lead concentrations found in surface waters taken on the inlet and outlet of Lake Swidwie were low (Tab. 1), as in the waters described as not polluted with these metals
Summary
The natural circulation of elements has been subjected to various alterations resulting from the environmental pollution caused by human economy This poses a threat to the ecological ecosystem balance by endangering the development and life of the organisms, but has an indirect and direct effect on human health. The total content of metal in water can be divided into two fractions: metal bounded in suspended matter and the dissolved fraction (Glazewski 1992) The proportion of these two fractions of heavy metals in natural waters depends on many physical and chemical factors, such as salinity, complexing components of the dissolved organic matter, forms of metal occurrence, composition and effective surface of the suspended matter molecules (Revis et al 1989). Even small amounts of heavy metals present in waters are very quickly
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