Integrated Monitoring with Moss-Bag and Mussel Transplants in Reservoirs

Gana Gecheva,Vesela Yancheva,Elenka Georgieva,Borislava Todorova,Stela Stoyanova,Desislava Arnaudova,Iliana Velcheva,Violeta Stefanova,Ivelin Mollov,Vesela Genina,Deyana Georgieva

doi:10.3390/w12061800

Gana Gecheva, Vesela Yancheva + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061800

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Journal: Water	Publication Date: Jun 24, 2020
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Plovdiv University, Ministry of Environment and Water

Abstract

For the first time, transplants with moss-bags and mussels together were applied to study the water quality in standing water bodies. The tested species: Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. and Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) were collected from unpolluted sites and analyzed to obtain background levels. Then, the moss and mussels were left in cages for a period of 30 days in three reservoirs where both are not present naturally. Two of the reservoirs suffer from old industrial contamination and one is affected by untreated wastes. Twenty-four compounds were studied, among them trace elements Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and organic priority substances: six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congeners and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). The trace element accumulation was significant after the exposition period in all studied stations. PBDEs and SCCPs were also accumulated up to two times more in the moss tissues. PBDEs in the mussels exceeded the environmental quality standard (EQS). The applied combined transplants, and especially the moss-bags, revealed severe contamination with heavy metals not detected by the water samples. The moss and the mussel followed a different model of trace element and PBDEs accumulation. The SCCPs levels were alarmingly high in all plant samples. The study confirmed PBDEs and SCCPs as bioaccumulative compounds and suggested that an EQS for SCCPs in biota needs to be established.

Highlights

Heavy metals are among the most common contaminants in the aquatic environment [1] and due to their excessive accumulation, biomagnification, and toxicity, high levels of heavy metals in surface waters have evoked significant concern from governments and the public [2]
A review of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the global environment recommended that more research needs to be performed on PBDEs in a variety of matrices and locations in order to assess the current status of these compounds [11]
The concentrations in water samples were below the limits of detection (LOD) for Hg (

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metals are among the most common contaminants in the aquatic environment [1] and due to their excessive accumulation, biomagnification, and toxicity, high levels of heavy metals in surface waters have evoked significant concern from governments and the public [2]. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, long-range transport, toxicity, and adverse effects on wildlife and humans have been restricted or banned in most countries [3,4]. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are used for various industrial applications, such as flame retardants, plasticizers, metal-working fluids, lubricant additives, paints, sealants, and leather fat liquors. Due to their environmental persistence, potentials for bioaccumulation, and long-range. Compared with medium-chain CPs (MCCPs, C14-17) and long-chain CPs (LCCPs, C18-30), short-chain CPs (SCCPs, C10-13) have higher toxicity effects on aquatic organisms, slower biodegradation rates, and, the most significant potential for long-range transport, persistence, and bioaccumulation [9,10].

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