Abstract
Heavy metal concentrations were determined in 43 perches (Perca fluviatilis) and in two of its most common parasites, the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus lucii and the cestode Proteocephalus percae, collected in the period 2009–2010 from Ružín, a seriously polluted water reservoir in Slovakia. Samples of muscle, liver, kidney, brain, male and female reproductive organs and adipose tissue of fish and both parasites were analyzed for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, by ICP-MS. Mean concentrations of individual heavy metals in all fish samples decreased in the order zinc > copper > manganese > mercury > arsenic > chromium > cadmium > nickel > lead. Zinc was found to be the dominant element and its antagonistic interaction with copper was confirmed. The kidney was a key target organ receiving the highest mean concentrations of all analyzed metals, but some metals showed specific affinity for particular tissues. In terms of human health, concentration of Hg in fish muscle, which exceeded more than two-times its maximum level admitted in foodstuffs in European countries, is of great importance and should be taken into account. Bioaccumulation factors (C[parasite]/C[fish tissue]) calculated for all elements indicated much higher detection skills of A. lucii and P. percae parasites than fish organs and hence, present results allow proposing both parasite models as useful tools to monitor aquatic environmental quality. Acanthocephalans, however, seem to be superior for heavy metal monitoring, also demonstrated under experimental conditions. Present results also indicate the decreasing heavy metal burden of the reservoir and its gradual recovery in the course of time.
Highlights
Nowadays, there is no doubt that the environment receives large quantities of pollutants as a consequence of human activities and that those substances can have detrimental effects on humans as well as on the health of all living organisms
DOLT-3 determined by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Cadmium predominated in the liver and kidney
Summary
There is no doubt that the environment receives large quantities of pollutants as a consequence of human activities and that those substances can have detrimental effects on humans as well as on the health of all living organisms. One of the most serious problems is pollution by heavy metals [1]. They occur naturally in the Earth’s crust and are found in soils and rocks with subsequent concentrations in sediments, water and organisms. Unlike the majority of organic pollutants, which eventually degrade to carbon dioxide and water, heavy metals, as elements, cannot be broken down, and they persist in the environment and tend to accumulate especially in lake, estuarine or marine sediments [4]. Aquatic organisms have the ability to accumulate heavy metals from their surroundings across the gills due to respiration, and by ingestion of contaminated food [5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
