Profiles of Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants (POPs) in Tissues of Marketable Common Carp and in Bottom Sediments of Selected Ponds of South and West Bohemia

Abstract

Svobodova Z. , V. Ilabek, T. Randak, J . Machova, J . Kolafiova, J . Haj‰ lova, P. Suchan: Profiles of Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants (POPs) in Tissues of Marketable Common Carp and in Bottom Sediments of Selected Ponds of South and West Bohemia. Acta Vet. Brno 2003, 72: 295-309. The aim of the study was to evaluate the state of selected ponds in South and West Bohemia from the point of view of selected POPs contamination (DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers, HCB and OCS). Six ponds were sampled during autumn periods of 1999-2001. Bottom sediment samples were taken from every pond, as well as muscle, liver and gonad samples from 5 to 7 specimens of marketable common carp per pond. The DDT and its metabolites were determined in fish muscle (w.w. wet weight) in range of 7.91 to 86.48 g.kg-1, sum of HCH isomers in range of 0.20 to 6.33 g.kg-1, HCB in range of 0.31 to 6.17 g.kg-1 and OCS in range of 0.02 to 0.80 g.kg-1. The results demostrated comparable indicative ability of fish tissues and bottom sediments for evaluation of pond load by the monitored POPs. Correlation coefficients between their contents in sediments and in fish muscle were as followed: r = 0.927 for the sum of DDT and its metabolites; r = 0.780 for HCH isomers; r = 0.979 for HCB; r = 0.481 for OCS. The rates of pond load referred to the intensity of agricultural and industrial production in their drainage areas. A close correlation (r = 0,810 – 0,999) was also found between the content of DDT, HCH, HCB and fat in individual tissues of carp from pond. Any value measured for the POPs under study did not exceed the maximum limit of residues as defined by legislation in force. The study contributed to quality evaluation of carp as the main representative of marketable fish in the Czech Republic, as well as to evaluation of its environment. Thus the study assisted to the strategy of food safety. Cyprinus carpio L., DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers, HCB, OCS, muscle, liver, gonads Problems of hygienic and toxicological quality of food became a recent priority of the European Union. Before accessing the EU, Czech Republic now exerts a big effort to follow the world trend in development of food hygiene. This effort is directed towards the strategy of food safety. Since the ecosystems of surface waters become a final recipient of most foreign substances originating from anthropogenic activity, research and control are focused to hygiene of freshwater fish production. Carp with its 87-90% of total production is the main fish species in the Czech Republic both for the local market and for export (Vacha 1998; Vos t radovsk 2002). Fulfilling the strategy of food safety, attention must be paid to the control of this fish species, as well as to the environment where it is grown. Above all, the effort should be focused to large ponds decisive for marketable carp production. This effort should be further focused to ponds that concentrated and treated (or still concentrate and treat) various ACTA VET. BRNO 2003, 72: 295–309 Address for correspondence: Prof. MVDr. ZdeAka Svobodova, DrSc University of South Bohemia âeske Budujovice Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology 389 25 VodAany, Czech Republic Phone: +420 383 382 402 Fax: +420 383 382 396 E-mail: zsvobod@vurh.jcu.cz http://www.vfu.cz/acta-vet/actavet.htm