Iron Accumulation in Selected Elements of Pond Ecosystem Food Chain

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the accumulation of iron in the individual links of aquatic ecosystems food chain under extensive farming of carp. Based on ascertained in these organisms the contents of this element calculated value of bioaccumulation in the aquatic system and evaluated the degree of contamination. The study was performed in the breeding pond, located in Mydlniki, supplied with water from the river Rudawa. From the study pond collected: water, sediment from the bottom of the pond, benthic organisms represented by the larvae of flies of the chironomid family organs in, and carps from which were dissected the most associated with metals metabolism organs (gills, gonads, liver and muscle). In all samples determine the content of iron by atomic emission spectrometry in the camera JY 238 Ultrace Jobin Yvon Emission. Digestion of the samples were made by the wet method in a closed system with the use of microwave energy. Based on the results concluded that in the studied ecosystem, there is no risk of iron poisoning. The contents of this element in the water and bottom sediments are comparable to other reservoirs, of anthropogenic and natural origin. Was found a high value of the sediments enrichment factor sediments with iron in relation to its content in the water. The content of iron in the benthic organisms have taken high values, from 1189 to 1997 mg kg d.m. The iron content in organisms of the examined fish ranged from 2.951 to 395.9 mg kg d.m. Most of this element was found in the gills, then in liver, gonads and the least iron is accumulated muscles. Literature data show that regardless of the amount of iron in the environment, bioaccumulation factor in fish organs takes a value close to those obtained in own research. The content of iron in the liver and gills of fish is the most authoritative indicator of environmental contamination by iron compounds.