Anomalous behavior of trace element magnesium in fish tissues

Six fish species were collected: summer trout (Salmo alar), rock fish (Roccus lineatus), pink snapper (Lutianus ava), croaker (Stellifer lancelatus), sheepshead (Diplodus holbrooki) and spanish mackeral (Scomberomorus maculatus). Seven trace elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicate that the trace elements iron, copper, zinc, mercury, chromium, and nickel show higher levels in the livers than in the flesh of all the six fish species. Surprisingly, magnesium concentration levels were consistently higher in flesh than in the livers of all six fish species.     

Behavior of cesium in fish tissues from Savannah River

A survey of cesium residues in fish from the Savannah River near the Savannah River Nuclear Plant was undertaken in 1983. Fish tissues, bone, fin, and muscle were incubated by the wet disgestion method for analysis. Seventeen fish samples were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry procedure to determine cesium content. It was found that cesium concentration levels were consistently higher in the bones and fins than in muscles of all fish species. It seems that cesium concentration levels were relatively higher in fins than in bones. Cesium concentration levels in muscle tissues were negligible in all fish species.     

Trace elements in fish from the Savannah river near Savannah river nuclear plant

A survey of trace element residues in fish from the Savannah River near Savannah River Nuclear Plant was undertaken in 1982. Fish muscle tissue was incubated by the wet digestion method. Fifteen trace elements were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry analysi of the digests. It was found that As, Se, Mg, Hg, Ca, Zn, and Fe levels were relatively higher than Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Cr, and Mn in all fish species. In addition, in all fish species it seems that Pb, Cd, Ni, Co, Cr, and Mn levels were relatively higher than Cs and Cu. Cs and Cu levels were negligible in all fish species analyzed. Trace element levels found in these fish species were not high enough to render them dangerous for human consumption.     

Heavy metals in fish (Solea vulgaris, Anguilla anguilla and Liza aurata) from salt marshes on the southern Atlantic coast of Spain

Comparisons were made of metal concentrations in water and sediment with those in the muscle and livers of three species of fish caught in four seawater reservoirs (two in the Odiel estuary and two in the Bay of Cádiz). The concentrations of a large number of metals in the water, sediment and fish were higher in the Odiel reservoirs than in those in Cádiz. We found high metal-enrichment factors in the livers as compared to muscle (over 100 for Fe and Cu and around 5 for Zn, Ni, Cd and Pb). The three fish species showed differences in metal content. For example, eels accumulated more metals in muscle and grey mullet in the liver. The metal levels found in muscle in the three species were below the legal limits for human consumption, although Cu in the liver was above the limit in the three species taken from the Odiel reservoirs, and Zn levels in liver were over the maximum in eels from one of the Odiel marshes. Significant correlations (p<0.05) were obtained for the levels of numerous metals in water, sediment and fish.     

Measured elemental transfer factors for boreal hunter/gatherer scenarios: fish, game and berries

The environmental assessment of long-term nuclear waste management requires data to estimate food chain transfers for radionuclides in various environmental settings. For key elements such as iodine (I) and chlorine (Cl), there is a paucity of transfer factor data, particularly outside of agricultural food chains. This study dealt with transfers of I, Cl and 28 other elements to foods that would be typical of boreal hunter/gatherer lifestyles, as well as being common foods for modern recreational and subsistence hunters. Food/substrate concentration ratios (CRs) and related transfer factors for eight species of widely distributed fish, whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and wild blueberries (Vaccinium myrtilloides) were measured and compared to the literature. Limited data were obtained for caribou (Rangifer tarandus), elk (Cervus elaphus) and moose (Alces americanus). Freshwater sediment Kd values and CRs for a ubiquitous freshwater macrophyte were also obtained. The CRs for I in fish were 29 L kg⁻¹ in edible muscle (fillets) of large-bodied species and 85 L kg⁻¹ for whole, small-bodied fish. The log CRs for fish and macrophytes were correlated across elements. For several elements, the Kds for sediments in deep water were ∼4-fold higher than for littoral samples. The elemental transfers to wild animals for some elements were notably different than the literature indicates for domestic animals. It is argued that the transfer data obtained using indigenous elements from real environmental settings, as opposed to contaminant elements in experimental or impacted environments, are especially relevant to assessment of long-term impacts.     

Copper and zinc in four freshwater fish species from Lake Pamvotis (Greece)

Lake ecosystems are vulnerable to heavy-metal pollution. Fish samples are considered as one of the most indicative factors, in freshwater systems, for the estimation of trace metals pollution potential. Lake Pamvotis (NW Greece) is a typical Mediterranean ecosystem of great importance in regard to biodiversity and to aesthetic value. The fish species found most commonly in the lake are Cyprinus carpio, Silurus aristotelis, Rutilus ylikiensis, and Carassius gibelio. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the level of contamination of two essential heavy metals (copper and zinc) appearing at high concentrations in lake water in the above four fish species. Metal concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy in three different tissues (muscle, liver, gonads) in order to assess the fish contamination. A two-factor analysis of variance, based on the procedure of general linear models, was employed in which fish species (four levels) and fish tissue (three levels) were examined for potential influence on Cu and Zn concentrations. Differences between level means per factor were treated using Tukey's multiple comparisons of means. The study showed that C. carpio and R. ylikiensis presented the highest metal content. Tissues analysis revealed that liver and gonads accumulated the highest levels of Cu and Zn. Metal concentration in the edible part of the examined fish (muscle) were in the safety-permissible levels for human consumption.     

崇西湿地冬季潮滩鱼类种类组成及多样性分析

根据2006年冬季在崇西湿地进行的光滩和草滩插网渔获调查,首次对冬季长江口潮滩鱼类种类组成、多样性及相关环境因子作了分析。结果表明：冬季崇西湿地潮滩鱼类主要由淡水小型鱼类组成,共23种,隶属7科,20属。光滩和草滩插网的最大优势种皆为油,两种网具的渔获种类组成具一定的相似性。在一个潮周期内,3种多样性指数D、H′ 和J值波动范围较大,小汛潮时多样性指数比其它潮汛低。白天和晚上潮水的鱼类种类数无显著变化（P>0.5）,但在个体数和生物量上白天较晚上潮水高（P<0.5）。水温、潮汐大小对潮滩鱼类丰度影响较大,而与盐度相关较小。此外,天气状况也是影响潮滩鱼类的一个重要因子。总之,潮滩鱼类的种类组成和多样性受到各种环境因子的综合影响。     

Quantitative Relationships between Predatory and Nonpredatory Animals in Freshwater Ecosystems

The ratios between the sizes of predators and prey have been estimated. On average, the linear sizes and body weights of aquatic predatory animals are approximately three and nine times greater, respectively, than those of nonpredatory animals. The biomass of predators in waters with different productivity levels is, on average, about 20% of the biomass of nonpredatory animals. However, the ratio between the biomasses of predatory and nonpredatory animals in the same water body may vary seasonally and annually and differ in different parts of this water body. The average numbers of predatory fish in ichthyocenoses are no more than 3% of the numbers of nonpredatory fish. The living space (individual range) of predatory fish is about 40 times larger than that of their prey. The relatively low numbers of predators in water bodies may be accounted for by the lower number of predatory species and their higher mortality at early developmental stages, compared to nonpredatory species.     

Heavy metals in four fish species from the French coast of the Eastern English Channel and Southern Bight of the North Sea

Shallow coastal waters act as nurseries for various fish species and have been recognized as essential fish habitat. We studied heavy metal concentrations in four fish species (plaice, dab, flounder and cod) as an indicator of large-scale habitat quality. The study took place along the French coasts between the Eastern English Channel and the Southern Bight of the North Sea. All species show different concentrations of measured metals (e.g., Cd, Cu, Mn and Pb) in liver but not in muscle. The highest concentrations are found for the flounder and the lowest for cod which is consistent with their habitat and diet. Although our results do not highlight levels of appreciable pollution within the study area, inter-site differences are mainly observed in the muscle tissues and are generally in agreement with the known environmental data (e.g., anthropogenic pressure). However, in the Bay of Seine, one of the most contaminated estuaries in Europe, metal concentrations are in the same range or even lower than those found in fish collected from areas distant from any anthropogenic pressures. At one site, the comparisons of the Cd, Cu and Pb concentrations between healthy and diseased dabs have been carried out on the muscle and liver tissues. The results of this preliminary study show a relationship between metal concentrations and the pathological status of the fish. The use of fish health as indicator of habitat quality is discussed.     

Gamma radioactivity in the Iberian Marine environment closest to the NEA dumping site

The distributions of caesium-137 and some naturally occurring gamma-emitters in a range of environmental samples, collected along the north-west Iberian coastline during April 1984, are presented. Samples, including surface waters, algae, sediments and fish, have been analyzed to establish accurate baselines for that region of the continental shelf closest to the NEA dumping site. Results indicate that caesium-137 levels were a factor of three lower than those typical of waters off the west coast of Ireland and are consistent with those expected from global fallout prior to the Chernobyl accident. The mean caesium-137 concentration in sea water at six well-separated stations near the coast was 3·85 ± 0·19 Bq m⁻³, whilst caesium-137 levels in widely consumed species of fish were in the range 1·1–6·2 Bq kg⁻¹ (dry wt). It is estimated that caesium-137, through one year's ingestion of fish and shellfish, generates a collective dose equivalent commitment to the adult Galician population of 0·78 man-Sv, which is approximately 3% of the total annula collective dose equivalent from non-medical sources of radiation.     

Bioaccumulation of polonium 210Po in marine birds

The aim of this work was to determine the 210Po content in marine birds which permanently or temporally live in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea. We chose 11 species of sea birds: three species permanently residing at southern Baltic Sea, four species of wintering birds and three species of migrating birds. The results show that the polonium is non-uniformly distributed in the marine birds. The highest activities of 210Po were observed in feathers, muscles and liver and the lowest in skin and skeleton. Species of birds that eat crustaceans, molluscs, fish and plants (long-tailed duck Clangula hyemalis, white-winged scoter Melanitta fusca) accumulated more polonium than species that eat mainly fish (great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, common guillemot Uria aalge) or plants (tufted duck Aythya fuligula). Moreover, about 63% of the 210Po that was located in feathers of razorbil (Alca torda) and long-tailed duck (C. hyemalis) was apparently adsorbed, suggesting an external source such as the air. It means that the adsorption of 210Po on the feather surface may be an important transfer from air to water.     

Metals in the shell of Bathymodiolus azoricus from a hydrothermal vent site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Specimens of the mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus were collected from Menez Gwen, a relatively shallow (850 m) hydrothermal vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Each bivalve shell (n = 21) was individually cleaned by selective chemical. The residual crystal matrix of each shell was individually analysed for the concentrations of the minor elements magnesium and strontium and the trace elements iron, manganese, copper and zinc. The chemical composition of the crystal matrix is unusual. B. azoricus is identified as a species having one of the most strontium impoverished shells amongst the marine molluscs. For a bimineral species the magnesium concentration is also extraordinary low. Despite originating from a trace metal rich environment; the metal concentrations in the shells were exceptionally low. Mean concentrations of iron, manganese, copper and zinc were 20.6, 3.7, 0.6 and 9.4 microg g(-1) respectively. Minor and trace element concentrations exhibited a marked intra-population variability. Copper concentrations increased and iron and zinc concentrations decreased with increasing shell weight. Due to its insensitivity to the high environmental levels of trace elements and the variability in intra-population concentrations induced by shell weight the crystal matrix of the shell of B. azoricus has little potential for use in environmental trace metal monitoring in areas contiguous to deep-sea hydrothermal vents.     

鄱阳湖鱼类群落结构及其时空动态

为系统阐明鄱阳湖鱼类群落特征及其影响因素,以便为鄱阳湖的鱼类资源保护及可持续利用提供理论依据,2010年4~11月对鄱阳湖鱼类群落空间差异和季节动态进行了调查。结果表明,共调查到鱼类72种,隶属于7目14科46属。在群落结构上,江湖洄游型鱼类占鱼类种数的25.00%,河流型鱼类占鱼类种数的19.44%,湖泊定居型鱼类占鱼类种数的55.56%。在空间结构上,沿岸带共采集到鱼类49种,其中鲫(Carassius auratus)、鲤(Cyprinus carpio)、鲇(Silurus asotus)、黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)等10个种类在数量上占优势;敞水区共采集到鱼类68种,其中刀鲚(Coilia ectenes)、鲫(Carassius auratus)、贝氏(Hemiculter bleekeri)、似鳊(Pseudobrama simoni)等10个种类在数量上占优势;沿岸带鱼类密度和生物量在各样点间存在显著差异。在季节变化方面,敞水区物种数和生物量在月份间存在显著差异。鱼类群落组成与环境因子的CCA分析发现,影响鄱阳湖沿岸带鱼类群落的环境因子为水温、支流影响、离长江距离和透明度,而影响敞水区鱼类群落的环境因子为离长江距离和透明度。     

Levels of organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish species from Kahramanmaras, Turkey

The levels of organohalogenated contaminants, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in four fish species (Acanthobrama marmid (kalashpa), Cyprinus carpio (carp), Chondrostoma regium (nose-carp), and Silurus glanis (wels)) from the Sir Dam Lake, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. These species were selected for their characteristic feeding behaviour and their importance to local human fish consumption. DDTs were the predominant organohalogenated contaminants in all species, with the p,p'-DDE contributing to more than 90% to the total DDTs. Other OCPs, such as hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, chlordanes and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were found at much lower levels in all five species. The levels of PCBs and PBDEs (on wet weight basis) were lower than in similar species from European or American freshwater systems. PBDE data were measured for the first time in fish species from Turkish environment. Lipid-based concentrations of OCPs, PCBs and PBDEs were higher in wels than in the other species and this was related to its piscivorous feeding mode and to its higher lipid content. Contrarily, concentrations of pollutants in nose-carp were the lowest, in agreement with its more herbivorous diet. A preferential accumulation in muscle compared to liver was observed for all OCPs, PCBs, and PBDEs in wels and carp, while in nose-carp, a preferential accumulation in liver was observed only for PBDEs, p,p'-DDT and PCBs. Racemic amounts for alpha-HCH were measured in all investigated muscle and liver samples, except for carp muscle.     

Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone (BCPS) in Swedish marine and fresh water wildlife-a screening study

Bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone (BCPS) is a high production volume chemical (HPVC) applied in thermostable polymers. BCPS has been detected as an environmental contaminant both in Europe and in North America but it is still not a commonly studied pollutant. In this study, three Baltic Sea fish species; herring (Clupea harengus), salmon (Salmo salar) and perch (Perca fluviatilis) from the Swedish coast, and one inland fish species, arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), were analysed to screen for the occurrence and distribution of BCPS. Salmon and arctic char, were sampled in the early 1970s as well as the late 1990s. Fish eating grey seal (Halichoerus gryphus) and guillemot (Uria aalge) from the Baltic Sea were included to screen for whether BCPS biomagnify or not. The representativeness of the analysed samples for studying bioaccumulation of environmental pollutants was compared through analysis of two well known persistent and bioaccumulating compounds, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153), and 4,4'-DDE. Pooled muscle and blubber samples based on 4-10 individuals were used for analysis, as well as individual samples of grey seal blubber. 2,4,4'-Trichlorodiphenyl sulfone, was synthesised and applied as an internal standard. BCPS was detected in all marine samples but in only one of the fresh water fish samples. The highest BCPS concentrations detected, 1600 and 1900 ng/g lipid weighet (l.w.), were found in muscle from Baltic guillemot. The results indicate that BCPS is bioaccumulated in both grey seal and guillemot, and that the guillemot has higher concentrations of BCPS than the grey seal (50-500 ng/g l.w.). The concentrations found in different species of fish from the Baltic Sea ranged between 15-37 ng/g l.w. and lower concentrations were found in freshwater species (n.d.-1.8 ng/g l.w.). The present study shows that BCPS is found in all investigated species of wildlife but, in most species, still at low concentrations. However, the guillemot has levels in the low ppm range indicating a considerable biomagnification of BCPS in this species.     

The European whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), under conditions of technogenic pollution in the Kostomuksha tailing pond

The population structure and biological parameters of the European whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus (L.), have been analyzed in a technogenically polluted water body. The biochemical state of the whitefish and the fauna and morphology of helminths parasitizing them have been assessed. It is shown that the species composition of the fish, plankton, benthos, and parasite faunas of this water body are depleted and the morphological parameters of common fish parasites are altered. It is noted that, in addition to adaptive rearrangements in biochemical metabolism, the whitefish from the transformed water body are characterized by a reduction in the level of protein synthesis in muscles and the rate of aerobic energy metabolism in the liver and muscles.     

Cadmium content of shellfish of the South Carolina fishery

A survey of cadmium residues in shellfish from the Atlantic Coast of South Carolina was undertaken to see the magnitude of cadmium contamination in the South Carolina Fishery. The shellfish collected were oysters, clams, crabs, shrimps, and scallops. Shellfish samples were dissected and pieces of edible muscle tissue were incubated in reagent grade nitric acid, at a constant temperature shaking-water bath at 58°C. Cadmium levels were determined by flame atomic absorption. The distribution pattern of the element Cd in shellfish is different in various species. It seems that shellfish contained more Cd content levels than other saltwater boney fish. It was found that Cd levels were relatively higher in oysters, shrimps, and clams than crabs and scallops. Larger shellfish had higher Cd content than the smaller shellfish of the same species. Elevated levels of Cd found in these shellfish species of edible fish were not high enough to render them dangerous for human consumption.     

Faunal diversity and dynamics of species richness and dominance of parasite communities in age series of the perch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Perca fluviatilis</Emphasis>)

Changes in parameters of species richness and dominance in parasite communities of perch have been analyzed in the age series of hosts from two water bodies, Lake Gusinoe and Chivyrkui Bay (Lake Baikal), at the levels of a host individual (infracommunity) and a host age group (set of infracommunities). The species richness of parasite infracommunities has been found to increase in both age series due to decreasing proportions of fish affected by no more than three to four parasite species and increasing proportion of fish parasitized by more than four to five species.     

Determination of toxic elements (mercury,cadmium, lead,tin and arsenic) in fish and shellfish samples. Risk assessment for the consumers

Although fish intake has potential health benefits, the presence of metal contamination in seafood has raised public health concerns. In this study, levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, tin and arsenic have been determined in fresh, canned and frozen fish and shellfish products and compared with the maximum levels currently in force. In a further step, potential human health risks for the consumers were assessed. A total of 485 samples of the 43 most frequently consumed fish and shellfish species in Andalusia (Southern Spain) were analyzed for their toxic elements content. High mercury concentrations were found in some predatory species (blue shark, cat shark, swordfish and tuna), although they were below the regulatory maximum levels. In the case of cadmium, bivalve mollusks such as canned clams and mussels presented higher concentrations than fish, but almost none of the samples analyzed exceeded the maximum levels. Lead concentrations were almost negligible with the exception of frozen common sole, which showed median levels above the legal limit. Tin levels in canned products were far below the maximum regulatory limit, indicating that no significant tin was transferred from the can. Arsenic concentrations were higher in crustaceans such as fresh and frozen shrimps. The risk assessment performed indicated that fish and shellfish products were safe for the average consumer, although a potential risk cannot be dismissed for regular or excessive consumers of particular fish species, such as tuna, swordfish, blue shark and cat shark (for mercury) and common sole (for lead).     

Dioxins and PCBs in game animals: Interspecies comparison and related consumer exposure

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCB) and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCB) are ubiquitous, persistent toxic compounds that are highly bioaccumulative in nature. Wild-living animals are vulnerable to the negative impacts of human activity. Dioxins and PCBs enter the animal organisms through foraging. Due to the toxicological threat, much attention is paid to these compounds worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the dioxin contamination status of three game animal species (red deer, roe deer, and wild boar) and compare the PCDD/F and PCB congener bioaccumulation in the muscles, abdominal fat and liver. The chemical analysis was performed by the isotope dilution technique (IDMS) with high-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Dioxins and PCBs were found in specimens collected from all studied species, suggesting the presence of the test compounds in the environment of the animals. The highest concentrations were found in the livers of all animals. The toxic equivalent (TEQ) levels in the muscles, adipose tissue and liver were in the order red deer > roe deer > wild boar. PCDD/Fs were the dominant congeners in TEQ value. For all tested species, the dominant contributors to the total WHO-TEQ were PCB-126, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD. Among the PCDD/F congeners in the deer tissues, OCDD, OCDF and 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF were dominant, while in wild boar, OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCF occurred in the highest amounts. Among PCBs, PCB-105, 118, 156, 138, 153 and 180 were dominant in all species, but with different levels. The regular consumption of muscle meat from game animals should not cause unacceptable dioxin intake above the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) value for children and adults. However, liver consumption should be avoided, especially by children and pregnant or lactating women. High consumption of contaminated liver may cause dioxin intake at levels up to 300% of TWI for adults and up to 700% TWI for children.