Characteristics of selected bioaccumulative substances and their impact on fish health

Abstract

The aim of this article was to evaluate the influence and effects of chosen bioaccumulative substances i.e. heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on fish, as well as provide information on time trends and potential threat to human health. Chemical substances which pollute water may affect living organisms in two ways. First of all, large amounts of chemical substances may cause sudden death of a significant part of the population of farmed fish, without symptoms (i.e. during breakdown of factories or industrial sewage leaks). However, more frequently, chemical substances accumulate in tissues of living organisms affecting them chronically. Heavy metals, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls are persistent substances with a long-lasting biodegradation process. In a water environment they usually accumulate in sediments, which makes them resistant to biodegradation processes induced by, e.g., the UV light. These substances enter the fish through direct consumption of contaminated water or by contact with skin and gills. Symptoms of intoxication with heavy metals, pesticides, and PCBs may vary and depend on the concentration and bioavailability of these substances, physicochemical parameters of water, and the fish itself.

Recent Advances in In Vivo SPME Sampling

“…In vivo analysis of fish samples is an emerging strategy for monitoring the health of aquatic ecosystems and water contamination from both natural sources and anthropogenic pollutants [33]. In fact, fish could absorb contaminants through their gills, skin, or gastrointestinal tract [33][34][35]. In vivo tissue monitoring of pharmaceuticals [36][37][38][39][40][41], persistent pollutants [42][43][44], pesticides [45] and antibacterial agents [46] provides valuable information regarding their concentration in the ecosystem, bioaccumulation levels and metabolism.…”

“…In particular, lipophilic pollutants can easily diffuse through biological membranes and accumulate in fish tissues and organs [47][48][49][50]. The increased concentration levels of toxic compounds and the possibility of additive effects related to the accumulation of multiple contaminants can result in physiological disorders and alteration of the normal metabolism, affecting reproductive, immune, nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine systems [33][34][35]51]. In addition, compounds accumulated in fish tissues could be transferred to other consumers in the food chain, leading to biomagnification phenomena [35,[52][53][54].…”

“…The increased concentration levels of toxic compounds and the possibility of additive effects related to the accumulation of multiple contaminants can result in physiological disorders and alteration of the normal metabolism, affecting reproductive, immune, nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine systems [33][34][35]51]. In addition, compounds accumulated in fish tissues could be transferred to other consumers in the food chain, leading to biomagnification phenomena [35,[52][53][54]. Standard methods used for the assessment of the bioconcentration, metabolism and elimination of targeted compounds in fish and for environmental monitoring require sampling of tens of individuals; moreover, analyses are usually performed from ex vivo tissues [55].…”

Influence of mycotoxins on fish health

“…Ryby mają zdolność akumulacji niektórych substancji (np. metali ciężkich, polichlorowanych bifenyli czy pestycydów) (38). Substancje te mogą znacznie obniżać opłacalność hodowli ryb (np.…”

Endocrine-disrupting organochlorine xenobiotics in fish products imported from Asia—an assessment of human health risk

“…Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were applied widely in many industries, particularly in electrotechnics (EFSA, 2005 ; Faroon & Ruiz, 2016 ). The characteristics of these compounds are similar regarding their extreme persistence, good solubility in fat, and high bioaccumulation in living organisms (Barr et al, 2007 ; Salem et al, 2009 ; Lagalante et al, 2009 ; Walczak & Reichert, 2016 ). Both groups of these compounds were considered persistent organic pollutants (POPs) (Stockholm Convention, 2018 ).…”