Assessing spirlin Alburnoides bipunctatus (Bloch, 1782) as an early indicator of climate change and anthropogenic stressors using ecological modeling and machine learning.

Combining single-species ecological modeling with advanced machine learning to investigate the long-term population dynamics of the rheophilic fish spirlin offers a powerful approach to understanding environmental changes and climate shifts in aquatic ecosystems. A new ESHIPPOClim model was developed by integrating climate change assessment into the ESHIPPO model. The model identifies spirlin as a potential early indicator of environmental changes, highlighting the interactive effects of climate change and anthropogenic stressors on fish populations and freshwater ecosystems. The ESHIPPOClim model reveals that 28.57 % of the spirlin's data indicates high resilience and ecological responsiveness, with 34.92 % showing medium-high adaptability, suggesting its substantial ability to withstand environmental stressors. With 36.51 % of the data in medium level and no data in the low category, spirlin may serve as a sentinel species, providing early warnings of environmental stressors before they severely impact other species or ecosystems. The results of uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) and a decision tree show that pollution has the highest impact on the population dynamics of spirlin, followed by annual water temperature, overexploitation, and invasive species. Despite the obtained key drivers, higher abundance, dominance, and frequency values were detected in habitats with higher HIPPO stressors and climate change effects. Integrating state-of-the-art machine learning models has enhanced the predictive power of the ESHIPPOClim model, achieving approximately 90 % accuracy in identifying spirlin as an early indicator of climate change and anthropogenic stressors. The ESHIPPOClim model offers a holistic approach with broad practical applications using a simplified three-point scale, adaptable to various fish species, communities, and regions. The ecological modeling supported with advanced machine learning could serve as a foundation for rapid and cost-effective management of aquatic ecosystems, revealing the adaptability potential of fish species, which is crucial in rapidly changing environments.

The accumulation and distribution of metals in water, sediment, aquatic macrophytes and fishes of the Gruza Reservoir, Serbia.

The concentrations of iron, lead, cadmium, copper, manganese, mercury and arsenic were measured in water, sediment, five macrophytes (Typha angustifolia, Iris pseudacorus, Polygonum amphybium, Myriophyllum spicatum and Lemna gibba) and five fish species (Sander lucioperca, Abramis brama, Carassius gibelio, Silurus glanis and Arystichtys nobilis) in the Gruza Reservoir, used for water supply and recreational fishing. The concentrations of all examined elements were higher in sediment than in water. The values of the ratio between element concentrations in the sediment and those in the water were the highest for Fe and As. Among the five plant species, the highest concentrations of Pb and Mn were observed in T. angustifolia, while the highest concentrations of Fe, Cu and Hg were in L. gibba. I. pseudacorus and P. amphybium had the highest concentrations of Cd and As, respectively. Among the fish species, C. gibelio showed the highest tendency of element accumulation (Fe, Cd, Cu), followed by S. lucioperca (Pb, Hg), A. brama (Mn) and A. nobilis (As). The average concentrations of elements in fish muscle, except for As in A. nobilis (2.635 ± 0.241 mg kg(-1) ww), were below the limits that are considered safe for human consumption in accordance with the European Commission Regulation and Official Gazette of Serbia.

Bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements in fish species of Serbia: a review.

In the first review of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in fish in water ecosystems in Serbia, 40 studies related to fish contamination with PTEs were identified and evaluated. Studies of concentrations of PTEs in fish tissues covered 28 ecosystems (108 localities). The main studied river ecosystems were the Danube and the Sava, and the Meduvrsje reservoir was the most studied standing water ecosystem. Among the most studied fish species were catfish (Silurus glanis), followed by pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), bream (Abramis brama), carp (Cyprinus carpio), and barbel (Barbus barbus). There were 48 "hot spot" sampling sites where concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, As, Ni, Fe, and/or Cu exceeded the maximum permitted concentrations (MPCs) prescribed by legislation. Elevated concentrations of these elements were the most detected in fish species sampled in the Danube, Sava, and rivers belonging to the Velika Morava basin. Hg concentrations were the most common above MPC in muscle tissue of species sampled from the Danube and Sava rivers. On the other hand, we can single out the species Vimba bream (Vimba vimba), sampled in Danube River in Zemun near Belgrade, as the safest species for human consumption due to the largest number of elements in fish meat below detection limits. Finally, having in mind all the criteria prescribed by U.S. EPA (2000), we identify and recommend two predatory fish species pikeperch (S. lucioperca) and catfish (S. glanis), and bottom-feeding fish species barbel (B. barbus) as bioindicators of PTEs contamination in Serbian waters.

The influence of spatial processes on fish community structure: using a metacommunity framework for freshwater bioassessment.

The use of biological indicators in a bioassessment approach is important for inferences of anthropogenic stress in routine monitoring programs. One of the primary assumptions of bioassessment is that biological indicators observed at specific sampling sites will allow for inferences of local environmental quality; however, this assumption requires a reliable understanding of dispersal processes, which is particularly relevant in river systems due to their dendritic network. Inter-stream dispersal between different points of the river network could bias bioassessment, especially for highly mobile organisms like fish. Here, we examine standard biological metrics used in routine biomonitoring to determine how spatial variables, including dispersal, influence inferences between fish populations and environmental gradients. Using redundancy analysis (RDA) and variation partitioning, we tested the relative influence of both environmental and spatial variables on fish community structure and related community metrics. Fish were collected from 99 sampling sites distributed across 44 rivers and streams of the Great Morava River Basin, Serbia. Electroconductivity, the percentage of agricultural areas, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and nitrate-nitrogen were found to be significant environmental variables, while ten spatial predictors from broad- to small-scales were found to influence fish community structure and community metrics. Our results suggest that contemporary dispersal among streams influences fish community composition, but that trait-based metrics are less sensitive than basic measures of diversity to spatial processes. Our results highlight the need for spatially independent sampling, as well as the need to consider dispersal-based processes in routine biomonitoring.

Potentially toxic elements in invasive fish species Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) from different freshwater ecosystems and human exposure assessment.

Concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn, and Zn were detected in the muscle and gills of Prussian carp from three different freshwater ecosystems: isolated ponds and the South Morava River in Serbia, and Kopacko Lake in complex wetland ecosystem of the Kopacki Rit Nature Reserve in Croatia. The main goals of the present research were to assess the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the muscle and gills of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), to examine whether abiotic factors from three different freshwater ecosystems affect the accumulation of PTEs in fish tissues, and to estimate the human health risk resulting from fish consumption. There were only six concentrations of PTEs in the gill tissue (Cr, Hg, Mn, Pb, Sn, and Zn) that were not significantly different among the different freshwater ecosystems. In the muscles, the differences were much less visible. Kopacko Lake distinguished with the highest values of metal pollution index (MPI) for muscles (0.24) and isolated ponds with the highest values of MPI for gills (0.8). The redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that concentrations of Al, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe in the gill tissue were significantly correlated with the environmental variables. In contrast, the RDA based on element concentrations in the fish muscles indicated no significant relationship with the environment. Isolated ponds, with no inflow of freshwater, stand out as the most polluted, followed by Kopacko Lake with occasional floods. Flowing freshwater ecosystem South Morava River can be single out as at least polluted with PTEs. The target hazard quotients (THQ) and hazard index (HI) suggested there were no significant noncarcinogenic health risks. The target carcinogenic risk factor (TR) for As and Pb confirmed there were no cancer risks related to human fish consumption. Since the elevated concentrations of toxic Cd and As in Prussian carp were estimated, an early warning should be assumed, especially for fishing activities in these areas.

Freshwater as a Sustainable Resource and Generator of Secondary Resources in the 21st Century: Stressors, Threats, Risks, Management and Protection Strategies, and Conservation Approaches.

This paper is a synthetic overview of some of the threats, risks, and integrated water management elements in freshwater ecosystems. The paper provides some discussion of human needs and water conservation issues related to freshwater systems: (1) introduction and background; (2) water basics and natural cycles; (3) freshwater roles in human cultures and civilizations; (4) water as a biosphere cornerstone; (5) climate as a hydrospheric 'game changer' from the perspective of freshwater; (6) human-induced stressors' effects on freshwater ecosystem changes (pollution, habitat fragmentation, etc.); (7) freshwater ecosystems' biological resources in the context of unsustainable exploitation/overexploitation; (8) invasive species, parasites, and diseases in freshwater systems; (9) freshwater ecosystems' vegetation; (10) the relationship between human warfare and water. All of these issues and more create an extremely complex matrix of stressors that plays a driving role in changing freshwater ecosystems both qualitatively and quantitatively, as well as their capacity to offer sustainable products and services to human societies. Only internationally integrated policies, strategies, assessment, monitoring, management, protection, and conservation initiatives can diminish and hopefully stop the long-term deterioration of Earth's freshwater resources and their associated secondary resources.

Genetic diversity and structure of the noble crayfish populations in the Balkan Peninsula revealed by mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA markers.

BACKGROUND: The noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) is a native European species in decline, with a contracting range and diminishing populations and abundance. Previous studies revealed this species significant genetic diversity in the south-eastern Europe, with populations from the western and the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula being the most divergent. However, sampling of populations from the western part of the Balkans was limited and insufficient for investigating genetic diversity and population divergence for the purpose of conservation planning and management. Thus, the major aim of this study was to fill in this knowledge gap by studying mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA diversity, using 413 noble crayfish from 18 populations from waterbodies in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. METHODS: Phylogenetic analysis of studied populations and their mitochondrial diversity were studied using COI and 16S sequences and population genetic structure was described using 15 microsatellite loci. RESULTS: Phylogeographic analysis revealed new divergent mitochondrial haplotypes for the populations in the westernmost part of the Balkan Peninsula in the tributaries of the Sava and Drava rivers. Microsatellite data indicated that these populations harbour an important component of genetic diversity within A. astacus. The results suggest that the western part of the Balkans played an important role as microrefugia during the Pleistocene climate fluctuations, allowing the long term persistence of A. astacus populations in this region. These results will also be important to supporting conservation decision making and planning.

The best data design for applying the taxonomic distinctness index in lotic systems: A case study of the Southern Morava River basin.

The taxonomic distinctness (Δ+) index has been recognized as a robust measure to assess human impacts on marine biodiversity. However, its applicability in freshwater ecosystems has still not been confirmed. We aimed to propose the most suitable data design for calculating the Δ+ index for application in assessing anthropogenically caused degradation in lotic environments. We calculated the values of Δ+ based on different taxa groups and taxa resolutions, in order to examine its utility as a potential metric in bioassessment programs. We found that the exclusion of non-insect taxa and selected insect orders significantly increased the index sensitivity. Thus, we believe that an appropriate data design for Δ+ calculation based on macroinvertebrate assemblages is the main prerequisite for the effective estimation of degradation in lotic environments. In addition, we argue that a decrease in taxonomic resolution up to genus level is completely acceptable, as it results in only minor information loss. Bearing this in mind would significantly facilitate its application in rapid bioassessment programs. Despite the observed correlation, the utility of Δ+ as a potential bioassessment metric is rather limited, since its fails to detect fine differences in environmental stress, and instead only roughly distinguishes between two basic classes of degradation level, unimpacted and impacted.

Potentially toxic elements in freshwater (Alburnus spp.) and marine (Sardina pilchardus) sardines from the Western Balkan Peninsula: An assessment of human health risk and management.

The concentrations of 14 potentially toxic elements in freshwater and marine sardines from the Western Balkan Peninsula were determined. In Prespa Lake, a natural lake, the concentrations of toxic Pb and Cd were above the maximum permissible concentrations in freshwater sardines. The As concentrations were elevated in sardines from Boka Kotorska Bay. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard index (HI) were above their defined limits in Boka Kotorska Bay and Skadar Lake, indicating a health risk for Montenegrin consumers. The results of this study set apart Zavoj, Vlasina and Meduvrsje artificial reservoirs as potential ecosystems for developing commercial fishing and for the safe use of freshwater sardines for human consumption. Constant monitoring of Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran natural lakes, as well as Boka Kotorska Bay, may be implemented in the interest of public health.

The potential of chironomid larvae-based metrics in the bioassessment of non-wadeable rivers.

The chironomid community in non-wadeable lotic systems was tested as a source of information in the construction of biological metrics which could be used into the bioassessment protocols of large rivers. In order to achieve this, we simultaneously patterned the chironomid community structure and environmental factors along the catchment of the Danube and Sava River. The Self organizing map (SOM) recognized and visualized three different structural types of chironomid community for different environmental properties, described by means of 7 significant abiotic factors (a multi-stressor gradient). Indicator species analysis revealed that the chironomid taxa most responsible for structural changes significantly varied in their abundance and frequency along the established environmental gradients. Out of 40 biological metrics based on the chironomid community, the multilayer perceptron (MLP), an supervised type of artificial neural network, derived 5 models in which the abundance of Paratrichocladius rufiventis, Orthocladiinae, Cricotopus spp., Cricotopus triannulatus agg. and Cricotopus/Orthocladius ratio achieved a significant relationship (the r Pearson's linear correlation coefficient>0.7) with the multi stressor environment. The sensitivity analysis "partial derivatives" (PaD) method showed that all 5 biological metrics within the multi-stressor gradient were mostly influenced by dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Despite short and monotonous environmental gradients and the absence of reference conditions, the chironomid community structure and biological metrics predictably changed along the multistress range, showing a great potential for the bioassessment of large rivers.

Evaluation of genotoxic potential in the Velika Morava River Basin in vitro and in situ.

The Velika Morava River is the greatest national Serbian river and the significant tributary of the Danube River. The major problems in the Velika Morava River Basin (VMRB) represent untreated industrial and municipal wastewaters. In this study, the level of genotoxic potential at the sites along the VMRB was evaluated by parallel in vitro and in situ approach. Within in vitro testing, genotoxicity of native water samples collected from the sites in VMRB was evaluated by SOS/umuC test on Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 and by the comet assay on HepG2 cells. DNA damage in situ was assessed in bleak (Alburnus alburnus) erythrocytes by the comet (alkaline and Fpg-modified comet) and micronucleus assays. Additionally, the concentration of heavy metals in fish tissue was measured and this data, compiled with the data of the physico-chemical parameters measured in water, was used as a measure of the pollution pressure at the sites. Results showed that applied in vitro tests with native water samples are less sensitive in comparison with in situ tests and should be taken with precaution when making predictions on the status of the ecosystem. Within applied battery of in situ assays differential sensitivity of assays was observed where alkaline comet assay showed the highest potential in differentiation of the sites based on genotoxic potential. Integrated biomarker response showed that usage of the battery of bioassays provides better insight in a genotoxic effects in animals, and consequently, that the holistic approach is more suitable for this type of study.

Phylogeographic Identification of Tench Tinca tinca (L., 1758) (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) from the Northern Balkans and Adjacent Regions and its Implications for Conservation.

Jelena Lujic, Klaus Kohlmann, Petra Kersten, Zoran Marinovic, Miroslav Cirkovic, and Vladica Simic (2017) The tench, Tinca tinca, is an endangered freshwater fish species in the Balkans. However, there are no management and conservation strategies developed for this species so far. In order to be able to develop such strategies, we first determined the phylogeographic identity of 70 tench individuals from four countries (Serbia, FYRO Macedonia, Hungary and Croatia) by PCR-RFLP analyses of two nuclear markers (Act and RpS7) and one mitochondrial marker (Cytb). All makers enabled the identification of two major geographic clades of tench (Western and Eastern), while nuclear markers additionally enabled the identification of hybrids between the two clades. Based on the mitochondrial marker Cytb, tench populations can be separated into two distinct areas: areas north of the Danube River with the dominant Western origin, and areas south of the Danube River with the dominant Eastern origin. Data obtained for the Act gene demonstrated Eastern origin for most individuals (88.23%) while data obtained for the RpS7 gene demonstrated mixed origin with a high percentage of hybrids. The presence of high numbers of individuals with Western alleles for the RpS7 gene in areas south of the Danube may indicate a natural invasion of this phylogroup. According to these results, areas north and south of the Danube are identified as two main management units. Additionally, we identified the rare western haplotype W2 based on the Cytb marker which clearly indicated human-aided dispersals of tench in the investigated region and since some individuals with W2 origin were cultured, attention must be given to the genetic structure and identity of the introduced individuals, whether during introduction or reintroduction since biological and ecological consequences of the hybridization between the two major clades are still unknown. Finally, we propose and discuss management and conservation strategies for tench of both management areas.

Conservation status of freshwater mussels in Europe: state of the art and future challenges.

Freshwater mussels of the Order Unionida provide important ecosystem functions and services, yet many of their populations are in decline. We comprehensively review the status of the 16 currently recognized species in Europe, collating for the first time their life-history traits, distribution, conservation status, habitat preferences, and main threats in order to suggest future management actions. In northern, central, and eastern Europe, a relatively homogeneous species composition is found in most basins. In southern Europe, despite the lower species richness, spatially restricted species make these basins a high conservation priority. Information on freshwater mussels in Europe is unevenly distributed with considerable differences in data quality and quantity among countries and species. To make conservation more effective in the future, we suggest greater international cooperation using standardized protocols and methods to monitor and manage European freshwater mussel diversity. Such an approach will not only help conserve this vulnerable group but also, through the protection of these important organisms, will offer wider benefits to freshwater ecosystems.

The utility of two marine community indices to assess the environmental degradation of lotic systems using fish communities.

Multimetric approaches are commonly used to evaluate the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems. However, it has been recommended that the sensitivity of existing methods be improved through the investigation of the potential of new metrics to detect environmental disturbances. In this study we tested the effectiveness of two community indices (Taxonomic distinctness index (TDI) and Abundance biomass comparison (ABC) method), primarily proposed for marine ecosystems, to identify sites with different levels of environmental degradation in lotic systems using fish community data. Fish samples were collected over the period 2003-2011 at 131 sampling stations. To generate water and habitat quality classes, a self-organizing map (SOM) based on environmental data was applied. Gradients over the SOM map were investigated for the values of the TDI and ABC indices. The results of this study reveal that the values of both the TDI and ABC indices are highly correlated with water and habitat quality gradients. However, despite the observed correlation, the utility of TDI as a potential metric in bioassessment programs is rather limited, due to its lack of discriminatory power. In contrast, the ABC method could be proposed as a novel metric, but can only be applied in type-specific multimetric approaches.

Spatial monitoring of heavy metals in the inland waters of Serbia: a multispecies approach based on commercial fish.

The study monitored the contamination of fish muscle tissue by elements Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn at 17 sampling sites, in order to assess the pollution status of the main rivers in Serbia. Of the six commercially important fish species included in the study (pikeperch Sander lucioperca, catfish Silurus glanis, bream Abramis brama, barbel Barbus barbus, chub Squalius cephalus, nase Chondrostoma nasus), the bioconcentration factor (BCF) indicated that benthivore bream and barbel and predatory catfish have the highest tendency toward the accumulation of elements. This study achieved its primary objective and produced a contamination map of Serbia as a basis for further research. The estimated metal pollution index (MPI) showed the Tisa River to be unaffected by direct pollution (with an MPI value of 0.31) and the West Morava and Pek rivers to be affected (with MPI values of 1.92 and 0.73 for the WM1 and WM2 sampling sites and 0.65 for the Pek sampling site). Over the past two decades, Serbia has not expanded its industrial activity, which has resulted in the barely noticeable anthropogenic input of heavy metals in the rivers close to industry, and the main rivers are mostly unaffected and slightly affected. We assumed that pollution by heavy metals in the 1990s was trapped in the sediment, thus showing an increased concentration of elements in the species that live and feed on the bottom. Hg concentrations exceeded the maximum permitted concentrations (MPCs) only in catfish samples (0.62 mg kg(-1)) from the Danube (D3 sampling site) and barbel (0.78 mg kg(-1)) from the West Morava (WM1 sampling site), while Cd concentrations exceeded the MPC in catfish samples (0.09 mg kg(-1)) from the Danube (D1 sampling site) and chub samples (0.1 mg kg(-1)) from the South Morava (SM2 sampling site). The average concentrations of Pb exceeded the MPC in chub and barbel samples (0.32 and 0.82 mg kg(-1), respectively) from the West Morava (WM1 sampling site); chub, barbel, and nase samples (0.35, 0.32, 0.31 mg kg(-1), respectively) from the West Morava (WM2 sampling site); chub and barbel samples (0.35 and 0.3 mg kg(-1), respectively) from the Ibar; chub samples (0.39 mg kg(-1)) from the Drina; chub and barbel samples (0.59 and 0.4 mg kg(-1), respectively) from the Great Timok; and nase samples (0.33 mg kg(-1)) from the Pek. These results demonstrate that there is a need for future studies that would involve similar analyses and focus especially on smaller rivers that have been neglected so far.

The Alburnus benthopelagic fish species of the Western Balkan Peninsula: An assessment of their sustainable use.

In this study, we aimed to assess the population status of bleak (Alburnus spp.) over the Western Balkan Peninsula in terms of its sustainable use. A second objective was to determine key factors important for fishery management planning. Two different basins, continental (the Danube Basin and the Sava River sub-basin) and marine (the Adriatic and the Aegean Sea Basins) were examined. A sustainability assessment and factor analysis were conducted using the adjusted ESHIPPOfishing model, extended with additional socio-economic sub-elements, and the categorical principal components analysis (CATPCA), respectively. The results of the assessment revealed the bleak populations in the Danube Basin and the Sava River sub-basin to be highly sustainable. The population characteristics with abiotic and biotic factors were responsible for this status, while the influence of socio-economic factors was insignificant. The sustainability status of the bleak populations of the Mediterranean basin varied, with the populations from Ohrid and Skadar Lakes showing a high and those from Prespa and Dojran Lakes a medium status. Socio-economic factors with traditional fishing were the most important for the Mediterranean bleak populations.

Evaluation of genotoxic potential throughout the upper and middle stretches of Adige river basin.

In this study a comprehensive genotoxicological survey throughout the upper and middle stretches of Adige river basin is presented. The study was carried out at 7 sites located along the Adige main course and one the most significant tributaries, the Noce creek, both presenting different levels of pollution pressure. To give an insight into the nature of the genotoxic activity we employed the battery of prokaryotic and eukaryotic assays. Mutagenicity in water samples was evaluated by SOS/umuC test in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002. The level of DNA damage as a biomarker of exposure (comet assay) and biomarker of effect (micronucleus assay) and the level of oxidative stress as well (Fpg - modified comet assay) were studied in blood cells of Salmo cenerinus Nardo, 1847 and Salmo marmoratus Cuvier, 1829. Within the applied bioassays, comet assay showed the highest potential for discriminating the sampling sites which are under lesser extent of pressure (sampling sites 1-Barnes at Bresimo and 4-Noce downstream S. Giustina) from the sites under high pressure (sampling sites 5-Noce at Mezzolombardo and 6/7-Adige upstream and downstream municipality of Trento). Significant correlation between the standard and Fpg - modified comet assay indicated that oxidative stress could be a major contributor to observed DNA damage in collected specimens.

Evaluation of Genotoxic Pressure along the Sava River.

In this study we have performed a comprehensive genotoxicological survey along the 900 rkm of the Sava River. In total, 12 sites were chosen in compliance with the goals of GLOBAQUA project dealing with the effects of multiple stressors on biodiversity and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. The genotoxic potential was assessed using a complex battery of bioassays performed in prokaryotes and aquatic eukaryotes (freshwater fish). Battery comprised evaluation of mutagenicity by SOS/umuC test in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002. The level of DNA damage as a biomarker of exposure (comet assay) and biomarker of effect (micronucleus assay) and the level of oxidative stress as well (Fpg-modified comet assay) was studied in blood cells of bleak and spirlin (Alburnus alburnus/Alburnoides bipunctatus respectively). Result indicated differential sensitivity of applied bioassays in detection of genotoxic pressure. The standard and Fpg-modified comet assay showed higher potential in differentiation of the sites based on genotoxic potential in comparison with micronucleus assay and SOS/umuC test. Our data represent snapshot of the current status of the river which indicates the presence of genotoxic potential along the river which can be traced to the deterioration of quality of the Sava River by communal and industrial wastewaters. The major highlight of the study is that we have provided complex set of data obtained from a single source (homogeneity of analyses for all samples).

Biochemical indicators and biomarkers in chub (Squalius cephalus L.) from the Sava River.

Biochemical indicators and biomarkers were analyzed in the liver and gills of chub caught in three localities along the Sava River exposed to different environmental impacts. Sampling sites were: downstream from Zagreb (Zgd), downstream Sremska Mitrovica (SM) and downstream from Belgrade (Bgd). We observed that the relative amounts and levels of activity of Cu, Zn containing superoxide dismutase and glutathione in both the liver and gills, and the relative amounts of heat shock protein (HSP90) and metallothioneins in the gills were highest in the Zgd locality, suggesting a higher impact of metal pollution. The Zgd locality had higher concentrations of trace metals in the water, especially iron. In the SM and Bgd localities, higher relative levels of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were recorded (especially in SM) as compared to the Zgd locality, pointing to the presence of hydrogen peroxide and different classes of organic peroxides. Low water oxygen and high temperature levels in the Bgd locality suggesting different metabolic activity between examined locations. Our results suggest that different presence and concentrations of individual environmental factors (total environment) influence the way how fish establish homeostasis.

Commercial fish species of inland waters: a model for sustainability assessment and management.

The permanent increase in the exploitation of commercial fish species has led to the need for developing practical and effective tools for the sustainability assessment and management of the target fish populations. The aim of this study was to formulate an ESHIPPOfishing model which would provide a reliable assessment of commercial fish population sustainability and indicate the conservation priorities. The existing ESHIPPO model was modified by introducing a new Index of local sustainability of fish populations (ILSFP) which enables the selection of "keystone populations" and "keystone habitats/ecosystems" within the basin being investigated. We employed a self-organizing map (SOM) in order to visualize the spatial distribution of the keystone populations and keystone habitats/ecosystems for each fish species. Based on the ILSFP values, environmental specialization (ES) of a fish species and local environmental factors (HIPPO factors), the model estimates the degree of sustainability (DS) of commercial fish populations in the freshwater ecosystems of the western Balkan Peninsula. The results indicate a low degree of sustainability for the majority of commercial fish species of the Middle Danube Basin, especially Acipenser ruthenus and Hucho hucho. The ESHIPPOfishing model presents a cost effective conservation approach, formulated to be applicable to any kind of river basin. The application of the ESHIPPOfishing model provides a comprehensive insight into the viability of target fish populations, which would not only further improve the selection of conservation priorities, but also facilitate the management of aquatic ecosystems.