Occurrence of perfluoroalkyl substances in fish and water from the Svitava and Svratka rivers, Czech Republic.

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFHxS, FHUEA, PFOA, PFOS, FOSA, N-methyl FOSA and PFNA) from seven sites on the Svitava and Svratka rivers in the Brno conurbation (Czech Republic) were determined in fish blood plasma and water. Concentrations of PFHxS, FHUEA, FOSA, and N-methyl FOSA were below detection limits. Major compound in fish blood was PFOS (38.9-57.8 ng mL(-1)), followed by PFNA and PFOA. In water, the major compound detected was PFOA (1.7-178.0 ng mL(-1)), followed by PFOS and PFNA. A significant (p < 0.05) correlation for PFOA concentration in blood plasma and water was found (r = 0.74).

1-Hydroxypyrene--a biochemical marker for PAH pollution assessment of aquatic ecosystem.

The aim of the present study was to assess aquatic contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), using the 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) content in fish bile as a biochemical marker. A total of 71 chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.) were collected from seven locations on the Svitava and Svratka rivers in and around the industrial city of Brno, Czech Republic. The levels of 1-OHP were determined by reverse phase HPLC with fluorescence detection after deconjugation. Normalising the molar concentration of the biliary 1-OHP to the biliary protein content reduced sample variation. The content of 1-OHP was correlated with the PAH level in bottom sediment and semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMD), which was analyzed by a combination of HPLC/FLD and GC/MS methods. The highest mean values of 1-OHP were found in fish caught at the Svratka River at locations Modrice (169.2 ± 99.7 ng · mg(-1) protein) and Rajhradice (152.2 ± 79.7 ng · mg(-1) protein), which are located downstream from Brno. These values were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those obtained from localities Knínicky (98.4 ± 66.1 ng · mg(-1) protein) and Bílovice nad Svitavou (64.1 ± 31.4 ng · mg(-1) protein). The lowest contents of PAH in sediment and SPMD were found at location Knínicky (1.5 mg · kg(-1) dry mass and 19.4 ng · L(-1), respectively). The highest contents of PAH in sediment and SPMD were found in Rajhradice (26.0 mg · kg(-1) dry mass) and Svitava before junction (65.4 ng · L(-1)), respectively. A Spearman correlation test was applied to determine the relationship between biliary 1-OHP and the sum of PAH in sediment and SPMD. A positive, but no statistically significant correlation was found. The main impact sources of elevated level of PAHs in sites located downstream from Brno are most probably intensive industrial and agricultural activities and domestic waste.

Fish biochemical markers as a tool for pollution assessment on the Svitava and Svratka rivers, Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to assess the pollution of the Svitava and Svratka rivers in and around the industrial city of Brno (Czech Republic) by persistent organic pollutants using selected biochemical markers in chub. DESIGN: Levels of selected biochemical markers were measured in liver and plasma samples of chub. The concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in bottom sediment, semi-permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and muscle samples, and consequently used for correlation with biochemical markers. RESULTS: Significant alterations (p < 0.05) in some biochemical markers were observed and associated with combined exposure to pollutants. The highest levels of pollutants were found at sites situated downstream from Brno. The most widespread changes were identified in the function of phase I detoxifying enzymes. Significant positive correlations were observed in cytochrome P450 content and DDT concentration in the semi-permeable membrane device (p = 0.019, rs = 0.886), and between ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity and content of DDT (p = 0.041, rs = 0.352) and polychlorinated biphenyls (p = 0.034, rs = 0.365) in muscle tissues of indicator fish. CONCLUSION: The results presented in our study indicate the highest contamination of sites situated downstream from Brno, where the intensive industrial and agricultural activities as well as domestic waste and sewage most probably comprise the main impact sources of the enhanced level of pollutants and some biochemical markers in fish.