Organic Pollutant Contamination of the River Tichá Orlice as Assessed by Biochemical Markers

Abstract

Havelková M., Z. Svobodová, J. Kolářová, J. Krijt, D. Némethová, J. Jarkovský, R. Pospíšil: Organic Pollutant Contamination of the River Tichá Orlice as Assessed by Biochemical Markers. Acta Vet. Brno 2008, 77: 133-141. This study used biochemical markers to assess contamination at two contaminated sites (Králíky and Lichkov) and one control site (Červená Voda) on the River Tichá Orlice, a left-side tributary of the River Elbe. The brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) was selected as an indicator species. Enzymes of the first stage of xenobiotic conversion, namely cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) in the liver were selected as biochemical markers. Blood plasma vitellogenin concentrations were used to evaluate xenoestrogenic effects of contamination. Results were compared with the most important inductors of these markers, i.e. with organic pollutants (PCB, HCH, HCB, OCS and DDT and their metabolites in fish muscle and with PAH concentrations in bottom sediments). The highest contamination with organic pollutants was at Králíky, and this was reflected in increased cytochrome P450, EROD activity and vitellogenin concentrations. Significant differences were demonstrated in EROD activity and vitellogenin concentrations between Králíky and Červená Voda (P < 0.001). At the most contaminated site (Králíky), a significant negative correlation (r s = -0.964) between EROD activity and vitellogenin concentrations was demonstrated. This relationship was discussed from the point of view of a possible induction or inhibition of the assessed biomarkers at persistently highly contaminated sites. Cytochrome P450, EROD, vitellogenin, Salmo trutta fario, PCB, river contaminationThe River Tichá Orlice (Czech Republic) is a tributary of the River Elbe. The River Tichá Orlice is 107.5 km long and its basin covers 755.4 km 2 . Broodstock of brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) and European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) from the upper reaches of the river and its tributary, the Kralický brook, have been used for artificial reproduction. Fish reproductive problems were detected for the first time in the early 1990s, including low effectiveness of spawning. The results of reproduction were not satisfactory and high losses of spawners were noticed. Monitoring the River Tichá Orlice and its tributary Kralický Brook has been proceeding since 1989. The presence of organic pollutants (PCB; DDT and its metabolites, HCB and HCH) and heavy metals in brown trout muscle have been investigated (Kredl et al. 1989;Svobodová et al. 2004;Kolářová et al. 2005). The Kralický brook has been an important source of organic pollutants (Kolářová et al. 2005) and heavy metals (mercury and copper) released by "Tesla Králíky" which manufactures electronics and is located on the Kralický brook (Svobodová et al. 2004).

Assessment of contamination of the Svitava and Svratka rivers in the Czech Republic using selected biochemical markers

“…There are numerous reports of physiological disturbances and declining populations in aquatic animals [2][3][4]. Fish are generally considered to be good model organisms for monitoring the aquatic environment, because they are present in virtually all environments, and many species have been found to be susceptible to environmental pollutants [5].…”

“…Biotransformation enzymes (phase I and II) are important biochemical markers and indicators of aquatic contamination from industrial and agricultural pollutants [3][4][5]. The determination of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) content and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in fish liver is a well-established biomarker of exposure to xenobiotics such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and dioxins, and therefore are good indicators of contaminant exposure in fish [5,7].…”

Persistent organic pollutants in muscle of fish collected from the Nové Mlýny reservoir in Southern Moravia, Czech Republic

“…The above findings are also in agreement with other studies from the Czech Republic. Havelkova et al ( 2008 ) found that muscle of brown trout in Králíky on the Tichá Orlice River exhibited the highest content of PCB congeners. In the other study, Havelkova et al ( 2007 ) monitored eight rivers (Orlice, Chrudimka, Cidlina, Jizera, Vltava, Ohre, Bilina and the Blanice River).…”

Biochemical markers for the assessment of aquatic environment contamination

“…The main sources of the organic pollutants on these rivers are industry and anthropogenic pollution, e. g. the source of pollution at Králíky site is a plant near Králíky which has manufactured electronics and which has been located on the Kralický brook – the tributary of the River Tichá Orlice (Svobodova et al . 2004 ; Havelkova et al ., 2008b ). Another case – the River Elbe – belongs to highly polluted European rivers (Heininger and Pelzer, 1998 ; Lehmann and Rode, 2001 ).…”

“…This study is a review of four previous studies (Havelkova et al ., 2007 ; Havelkova et al . 2008a ; Havelkova et al ., 2008b ; Slatinska et al ., 2008 ).…”