engleski

Differences in metal accumulation and condition of marine fish species potentially impacted by the port of Ploče in the eastern Adriatic Sea

Marine ecosystems are threatened by variety of anthropogenic activities and pollutants, of which metals present serious threat due to their persistence, toxicity and potential to bioaccumulate. Metal concentrations in water may not reflect the chronic pollution load so bioindicator organisms such as native fish species are used to get an overall measure of contaminant exposure in the aquatic environments (Kraemer et al., 2006). Our goal was to estimate metal exposure in the area impacted by harbor activities, agriculture and tourism near the Port of Ploče and Neretva River mouth in the Southern Adriatic Sea in Croatia, using 30 individuals of three fish species (Mullus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758, Merluccius merluccius Linnaeus, 1758, Pagellus erythrinus Linnaus, 1758) as bioindicators. Biometric characteristics revealed the highest total length and masses of M. merluccius compared to other two species. Fulton condition index, as a measure of fish feeding and health, pointed to better condition of M. merluccius and M. barbatus compared to P. erythrinus. Metal exposure was assessed by determination of metal concentrations in water and fish muscle, as well as biomarker responses of metal exposure (metallothioneins), oxidative (malondialdehyde) and general stress (total proteins) in fish muscle. Accumulation of the most elements showed considerable species-specific differences except for Al, Fe, K and Mg, which concentrations were comparable in all species. The most elements showed significantly higher metal accumulation in M. barbatus (As, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb, Rb) and the lowest in M. merluccius (Co, Cu, Pb, Sr and Zn) when compared with other two species. Species-specific differences were also observed in biomarker responses, possibly as an adaptive response to the present ecological disturbances. Due to the complexity of anthropogenic releases of contaminants and their potential toxic effects, it is crucial to analyze larger set of relevant chemical and toxicological variables including metals and biomarkers, which can be preferably assessed in combination to provide information on marine ecosystem health. Such comprehensive research can provide adequate monitoring strategies in order to preserve the nature and living organisms, but also to provide marine ecosystems goods and services to human population

Fulton condition index ; metals ; biomarker response

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