engleski

Impact of water pollution on cytosolic metals and biomarker responses in pike (Esox lucius) and roach (Rutilus rutilus)

Different chemicals from waste water are continuously discharged into the aquatic environment where they can lead to various adverse effects on aquatic organisms. We investigated the impact of inorganic contaminants on pike (Esox lucius) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) caught in the Drava River upstream and downstream of a point source of water contamination. Potential biological impact of aquatic contaminants could be assessed by use of various biomarkers. Metallothioneins and cytosolic metals in liver were used as biomarkers of metal exposure. Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were used as possible biomarkers of liver damage while condition index was used to assess the general condition of fish. In water samples, the total dissolved metals and physico-chemical parameters of water quality were determined. The concentrations of several dissolved elements in river water were higher at downstream location, as well as values of metallothioneins in liver indicating increased metal exposure. Elevated levels of Cd, Cs, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn and As in hepatic cytosol of pike and of Se, Rb, Mo, Pb, Zn and Cu in hepatic cytosol of roach were found at downstream location. There were no differences in ALT and AST values between sampling locations for either species. The condition index of fish was slightly lower at downstream location indicating the possible harmful effects of pollution. Thus, our results indicate that the combination of selected indicators in pike and roach may be useful for assessing the biological impact of water pollution, even in weakly contaminated waters.

aquatic pollution ; inorganic contaminants ; biomarkers ; metallothioneins ; alanine aminotransferase ; aspartate aminotransferase ; pike ; roach

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