Transfer and Distribution of Metals and Metalloids in Carassius auratus Organs from Tailings Pond and Their Influence on Morphological Characteristics

Abstract

This article provides the results of the elemental composition study of Carassius auratus organs living in the Komsomolsk mine tailings pond, in which the water contains elevated concentrations of metals and metalloids. It was determined with an electrotomography survey that the pond is bordered vertically and laterally with highly conductive zones, in which pore waters are high-mineralized solutions. Due to the constant infiltration of solutions into the pond water, a stable composition is formed with elevated concentrations of a number of elements (sulfate-ion, As, Sb, Zn, Cd, Se, and others) exceeding background values. In the organs of Carassius auratus living in the pond, the accumulation of many elements occurs, the largest Sb, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb and to a lesser extent Al, Cu, Zn, and Se. Moreover, the concentration of elements is selective. In total, the greatest excess of element concentrations over background values was determined in the heart (15,000 times) and gills (4100 times) of fish, the smallest in muscles (1900 times) and liver (2000 times). The impact of the accumulation of metals and metalloids in fish organs influenced the metabolic rate, a decrease in the growth rate of Carassius auratus, and the appearance of dwarf forms.