Toxicity and chronic effects of deltamethrin exposure on zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a reference model for freshwater fish community.

In this study zebrafish specimens were exposed for 15 days to 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 µg L-1 non-lethal concentrations of deltamethrin (DM) knowing that is the active compound in insecticides used on agricultural crops. They were investigated important issues resulted during the chronic exposure with DM: effects on aggressive behavior and swimming performances knowing that is a high neurotoxic compound; toxicity on nervous system investigated on telencephalon, optic tectum and cerebellum; activity of PCNA, p53 and TUNEL as toxicity markers in immunocytochemistry of the histological samples; changes of elements concentrations in the fish body and their role in detoxification of DM. This scenario investigated the harmful effects of this compound for freshwater fish communities. The aggressive behavior significantly increased and remained constant for the concentration 0.5 µg L-1. They were not evidences in changing of anxiety level and swimming performances. The nervous system suffered significant damage for all studied concentrations and confirmed the changes in the behavior. Selenium concentration in the body decreased and may be involved in the detoxification processes.

Tubular and Spherical SiO2 Obtained by Sol Gel Method for Lipase Immobilization and Enzymatic Activity.

A wide range of hybrid biomaterials has been designed in order to sustain bioremediation processes by associating sol-gel SiO2 matrices with various biologically active compounds (enzymes, antibodies). SiO2 is a widespread, chemically stable and non-toxic material; thus, the immobilization of enzymes on silica may lead to improving the efficiency of biocatalysts in terms of endurance and economic costs. Our present work explores the potential of different hybrid morphologies, based on hollow tubes and solid spheres of amorphous SiO2, for enzyme immobilization and the development of competitive biocatalysts. The synthesis protocol and structural characterization of spherical and tubular SiO2 obtained by the sol gel method were fully investigated in connection with the subsequent immobilization of lipase from Rhizopus orizae. The immobilization is conducted at pH 6, lower than the isoelectric point of lipase and higher than the isoelectric point of silica, which is meant to sustain the physical interactions of the enzyme with the SiO2 matrix. The morphological, textural and surface properties of spherical and tubular SiO2 were investigated by SEM, nitrogen sorption, and electrokinetic potential measurements, while the formation and characterization of hybrid organic-inorganic complexes were studied by UV-VIS, FTIR-ATR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The highest degree of enzyme immobilization (as depicted from total organic carbon) was achieved for tubular morphology and the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate was used as an enzymatic model reaction conducted in the presence of hybrid lipase⁻SiO2 complex.

Zebrafish as a Screening Model to Study the Single and Joint Effects of Antibiotics.

The overuse of antibiotics combined with the limitation of wastewater facilities has resulted in drug residue accumulation in the natural environment. Thus, in recent years, the presence of antibiotic residues in the environment has raised concerns over the potential harmful effects on ecosystems and human health. The in vivo studies represent an essential step to study the potential impact induced by pharmaceutical exposure. Due to the limitations of traditional vertebrate model systems, zebrafish (Danio rerio) has recently emerged as a promising animal model to study the toxic effects of drugs and their therapeutic efficacy. The present review summarizes the recent advances made on the toxicity of seven representative classes of antibiotics, namely aminoglycosides, ß-lactams, macrolides, quinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and polyether antibiotics, in zebrafish, as well as the combined effects of antibiotic mixtures, to date. Despite a significant amount of the literature describing the impact of single antibiotic exposure, little information exists on the effects of antibiotic mixtures using zebrafish as an animal model. Most of the research papers on this topic have focused on antibiotic toxicity in zebrafish across different developmental stages rather than on their efficacy assessment.

Response of aquatic macroinvertebrates communities to multiple anthropogenic stressors in a lowland tributary river.

In the current study the response of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities to multiple anthropogenic stressors in a typical lowland river that crosses pristine sectors situated toward headwaters, as well as densely populated urban areas was assessed. We wished to develop an effective bioassay procedure for assessing water and sediment quality in lotic ecosystems from Romania with the aid of macroinvertebrate organisms correlated with physico-chemical parameters and pollutants in both dissolved fractions and material bonded to sediment. A fast scanning approach of the river, from springs to the mouth, was employed. We found significant changes in physico-chemical parameters along a longitudinal gradient, the highest values being registered within the urban area and heavily agriculturally developed areas. The macroinvertebrates showed affinities for certain abiotic factors, emphasising their potential use for future studies as reliable ecological indicators, shaped by a synergic combination of urban effects and magnitude of type of land use.

Preliminary Results Regarding Sleep in a Zebrafish Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most salient developmental neurological diseases and remarkable similarities have been found between humans and model animals of ASD. A common method of inducing ASD in zebrafish is by administrating valproic acid (VPA), which is an antiepileptic drug that is strongly linked with developmental defects in children. In the present study we replicated and extended the findings of VPA on social behavior in zebrafish by adding several sleep observations. Juvenile zebrafish manifested hyperactivity and an increase in ASD-like social behaviors but, interestingly, only exhibited minimal alterations in sleep. Our study confirmed that VPA can generate specific ASD symptoms, indicating that the zebrafish is an alternative model in this field of research.

Preliminary investigation of lower Danube pollution caused by potentially toxic metals.

The current study aims to assess the pollution status of the European river-sea system lower Danube River-Danube Delta-North West Black Sea, through an integrated analysis of metal concentrations in water, sediments and fish community. The Danube flows through numerous industrial cities and receives a significant amount of pollutants due to the reception of urban and industrial emissaries, as well as agricultural land runoff. Samples of water, sediments and fish (10 species) were collected from 7 representative sites along Danube River, Danube Delta and Black Sea shore. For the analysed fish species, potentially toxic and essential elements (Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca, Na, K) from muscle and liver samples were measured and discussed. Measurement of elements and other environmental quality parameters were determined for water and sediments. The Black Sea area, represented by S6 and S7, received sediments from Danube with the lowest concentrations of Cd (0.05 ± 0.01 µg g-1, respectively 0.01 ± 0.001 µg g-1), Pb (3 ± 0.03 µg g-1, respectively 2 ± 0.03 µg g-1), As (2 ± 0.02 µg g-1, respectively 1.4 ± 0.3 µg g-1), Ni (8.9 ± 0.1 µg g-1, respectively 5.2 ± 0.2 µg g-1), Cr (8 ± 0.7 µg g-1, respectively 5 ± 0.2 µg g-1), Cu (3 ± 0.1 µg g-1, respectively 2 ± 0.04 µg g-1), Fe(6 ± 0.3 µg g-1, respectively 3 ± 0.1 µg g-1) and Zn (0.03 ± 0.003 µg g-1, respectively 0.017 ± 0.001 µg g-1). These results suggest that the Danube Delta system plays an important role in filtering the pollutants. Based on the biota and water analysis, there was no correlation observed between Cd, respectively Pb concentration in the environment and fish body (Person Coef. = -0.02 in muscle tissue and -0.01 in liver tissue, respectively Pearson Coeff. = -0.06 in muscle tissue and 0.1 in liver tissue). Cadmium remained an active element in the pollution of the Danube area (S1 and S2), with high concentration in the water matrix (0.14 ± 0.02 µg L-1, respectively 0.05 ± 0.01 µg L-1) and fish muscle (0.15 ± 0.03 µg g-1f.w. in C. carpio - S2). This fact was confirmed by several other studies.

Which Zebrafish Strains Are More Suitable to Perform Behavioral Studies? A Comprehensive Comparison by Phenomic Approach.

Wild-type (WT) zebrafish are commonly used in behavioral tests, however, the term WT corresponds to many different strains, such as AB, Tübingen long fin (TL), and Wild Indian Karyotype (WIK). Since these strains are widely used, there has to be at least one study to demonstrate the behavioral differences between them. In our study, six zebrafish strains were used, which are AB, absolute, TL, golden, pet store-purchased (PET), and WIK zebrafishes. The behavior of these fishes was tested in a set of behavioral tests, including novel tank, mirror-biting, predator avoidance, social interaction, and shoaling tests. From the results, the differences were observed for all behavioral tests, and each strain displayed particular behavior depending on the tests. In addition, from the heatmap and PCA (principal component analysis) results, two major clusters were displayed, separating the AB and TL zebrafishes with other strains in another cluster. Furthermore, after the coefficient of variation of each strain in every behavioral test was calculated, the AB and TL zebrafishes were found to possess a low percentage of the coefficient of variation, highlighting the strong reproducibility and the robustness of the behaviors tested in both fishes. Each zebrafish strain tested in this experiment showed specifically different behaviors from each other, thus, strain-specific zebrafish behavior should be considered when designing experiments using zebrafish behavior.

Antagonistic effects in zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavior and oxidative stress induced by toxic metals and deltamethrin acute exposure.

In natural environments, the aquatic organisms are exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals which may originate from natural sources or from anthropogenic activities. In this context, the aim of the study was to assess the potential effects that might occur when aquatic organisms are simultaneously exposed to multiple chemicals. For that, we have studied the acute effects of cadmium (0.2 µg L-1), nickel (10 µg L-1) and deltamethrin (2 µg L-1) as individual toxicants and as mixture on the behavioral responses, oxidative stress (SOD and GPx), body electrolytes and trace metals profiles of zebrafish (Danio rerio). So far the scientific literature did not report about the combined effects of pesticides and toxic metals on zebrafish behavior using a 3D tracking system. Compared with other studies, in the present paper we investigated the acute effects of two heavy metals associated with a pesticide on zebrafish, in the range of environmentally relevant concentrations. Thus, the environmental concentrations of cadmium and nickel in three rivers affected by urban activities and one river with protected areas as background control were measured. The observations that resulted in our study demonstrated that deltamethrin toxicity was significantly decreased in some of the behavioral variables and oxidative stress when combined with CdNi mixture. Consequently, our study supports previous works concerning the combined toxicity of environmental chemicals since their simultaneous presence in the aqueous environment may lead to higher or lower toxicological effects on biota than those reported from a single pollutant. Therefore, the evaluation of toxic effects of a single contaminant does not offer a realistic estimate of its impact against aqueous ecosystems. This study also supports the idea that the interactions between different chemical compounds which do not exceed the maximum permitted limits in environment may have benefits for aquatic life forms or be more toxic.

Parkinson's Disease-Induced Zebrafish Models: Focussing on Oxidative Stress Implications and Sleep Processes.

The complex yet not fully understood pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease includes an important molecular component consisting of oxidative status changes, thus leading to oxidative stress occurrence. While no particular evidence has been reported that describes the relationship between oxidative stress and the molecular mechanisms behind Parkinson's disease development, animal model studies has shown that oxidative stress induction could modulate Parkinson's disease symptomatology. Despite the inability to perfectly replicate human disease in animals and despite that Parkinson's disease has not been reported in any animal species, animal modeling is one of the most important tools in understanding the complex mechanisms of human disorders. In this way, this study is aimed at detailing this particular relationship and describing the molecular mechanisms underlying Parkinson's disease in animal models, focusing on the potential advantages and disadvantages of zebrafish in this context. The information relevant to this topic was gathered using major scientific database research (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus) based on related keywords and inclusion criteria. Thus, it was observed that oxidative stress possesses an important role in Parkinson's disease as shown by numerous animal model studies, many of which are based on rodent experimental models. However, an emerging impact of the zebrafish model was observed in the research of Parkinson's disease pathological mechanisms with regard to disease development factors and the cause-effect relationship between oxidative stress and comorbidities (such as depression, hyposmia, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive deficits) and also with regard to the pharmacological potential of antioxidant molecules in Parkinson's disease treatment.

Preliminary Study on the Tears Oxidative Stress Status and Sleep Disturbances in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients.

According to the latest gastrointestinal disorders diagnostic criteria (ROME IV), the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is mainly characterized by the presence of abdominal pain and changes in intestinal transit. However, both sleep impairments and oxidative status changes (in patients' sera, mucosal level, and other body fluids) were reported IBS. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate several aspects regarding the oxidative stress status in patients' tears as well as sleep disturbances by comparison with the intensity of IBS symptoms, as assessed by the visual analogue scale for irritable bowel syndrome (VAS-IBS). Ten IBS patients and fourteen healthy sex- and age-matched volunteers were recruited from the Oftaprof Ophthalmological Clinic (Iași, Romania). Visual analogue scale for irritable bowel syndrome and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaires were administered to all the patients. Tear samples were collected using the Schirmer test procedure and were subjected to biochemical analysis-superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, malondialdehyde, and total soluble proteins levels were determined. Standard statistical analysis was applied. We found significant differences in oxidative stress marker dynamics in IBS patients as compared to healthy age- and sex-matched controls: increased superoxide dismutase activity (p = 0.02), increased malondialdehyde (p = 0.007), and total soluble proteins levels (p = 0.019). We found no significant differences in tear glutathione peroxidase activity in IBS patients as compared to healthy age- and sex-matched controls (p = 0.55). Furthermore, we observed that the oxidative stress tear markers are correlated with gastrointestinal symptoms severity (as evaluated by VAS-IBS) but not correlated to the sleep quality index and items (as evaluated by PSQI), with significant differences according to patient sex and IBS subtype stratification. In this way, this study brings additional evidence of the oxidative stress role in IBS pathology alongside the evaluation of tear fluid molecular dynamics in IBS for the first time in our best knowledge.

Vitamin C Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Behavioral Abnormalities Triggered by Fipronil and Pyriproxyfen Insecticide Chronic Exposure on Zebrafish Juvenile.

Chronic exposure to synthetic insecticides in the early life of a child can lead to a series of disorders. Several causes as parental age, maternal smoking, birth complications, and exposure to toxins such as insecticides on childhood can lead to Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) occurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential protective role of vitamin C (Vit. C) from children's supplements after 14 days chronic exposure to insecticide mixture fipronil (Fip) + pyriproxyfen (Pyr) on juvenile zebrafish for swimming performances, social behavior and oxidative stress associated with ASD model. Juvenile (14-17 mm) wild-type AB zebrafish (Danio rerio) (45 days) were exposed to relevant concentrations: vit. C (25 µg L-1), Fip (600 µg L-1/1.372 µM) + Pyr (600 µg L-1/1.89 µM), and [Fip (600 µg L-1/1.372 µM) + Pyr (600 µg L-1 /1.89 µM)] + vit. C (25 µg L-1). Our results showed that insecticides can disturb the social behavior of zebrafish during 14 days of the administration, decreased the swimming performances, and elevated the oxidative stress biomarkers of SOD (superoxide dismutase), GPx (glutathione peroxidase), and MDA (malondialdehyde). The vitamin C supplement significantly attenuated the neurotoxicity of insecticide mixture and oxidative stress. This study provides possible in vivo evidence to show that vitamin C supplements could attenuate oxidative stress and brain damage of fipronil and pyriproxyfen insecticide chronic exposure on zebrafish juvenile.

Patterns of toxic metals bioaccumulation in a cross-border freshwater reservoir.

In freshwater ecosystems toxic metals can follow different routes of bioaccumulation in the organisms' body mass, routes that are similar to electronic circuits, but far more complex due to their hierarchy levels. Reservoirs located on river courses have positive impacts on economic and social development because they concentrate large water volumes used for electrical energy production, water supply, irrigation, industry, aquaculture, providing ecosystems for migratory birds and aquatic species. The aim of the study was to assess the contamination with copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) of a cross-border reservoir located on River Prut (border between Romania and Republic of Moldova) in a temperate climate zone. Several aspects were considered: seasonal variation of water parameters and toxic metals, bioconcentration in eight fish species and transfer from prey to predator through the food chain, bioaccumulation by two freshwater molluscs separated in size groups and their role as bioindicators of toxic metals pollution. Metals concentrations were measured with an atomic absorption spectrometer (HR-CS GF-AAS). Cadmium, lead, nickel and chromium concentrations limits in water samples were below the detection limits (0.005 µg L-1Cd, 0.013 µg L-1Pb and 0.011 µg L-1Cr) during the monitoring period, suggesting that anthropogenic contamination was insignificant in the studied ecosystem. Fish liver and kidney had specific selectivity for copper (0.9-55.56 µg g-1) and cadmium (0.097-1.031 µg g-1) in case of pike-perch and bighead carp. The separation of molluscs in size groups did not prove that toxic metals increase in concentration with the organism age.

Acute exposure to gold induces fast changes in social behavior and oxidative stress of zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Gold is a noble metal having a long history of human usage and a variety of applications. The present paper was designed in order to see the changes on social and swimming behavior of zebrafish caused by acute gold exposure to high concentrations dissolved in aquatic medium from a standard solution with the highest purity. Some main oxidative stress markers were determined such as: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). We also focused our attention on the bioaccumulation capacity of gold in exposed zebrafish and its competition with essential elements for the body: sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). They were studied the effects of the follow gold concentrations dissolved in experimental aquariums: 1 mg L-1 (Au 1 mg/L), 2 mg L-1 (Au 2 mg/L), 4 mg L-1 (Au 4 mg/L) and 8 mg L-1 (Au 8 mg/L). Our data showed that each group treated with gold had a higher concentration compared with the others suggesting that it can be absorbed into the zebrafish body from environment and may be accumulated. The results obtained in the oxidative stress parameters demonstrated that it can produce changes as a response to its toxicological effects.

Acute exposure to methylmercury chloride induces fast changes in swimming performance, cognitive processes and oxidative stress of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as reference model for fish community.

Fishes are the first group of vertebrates that respond when the environment is contaminated with pollutants resulted from anthropogenic activities. The development of the toxicity tests is bringing new evidence about the toxicological effects of the pollutants upon the life forms. Behavioural abnormalities in the swimming performance and cognitive processes were well associated with the response of organisms to pollutants from environment. The aim of the paper was to study the behavioural changes of zebrafish (memory, swimming performances and aggression) and oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde) during 32 h of acute exposure with methylmercury (II) chloride to measure its neurotoxicity effects upon fish community. The experiments from this study tested and measured the fish community response to methylmercury concentrations (1 µg L-1 and 15 µg L-1) in the first hours after it contamination based on zebrafish model. The changes of the behaviour in the case of a fish species may lead in the end to their population reduction based on less reproductive success, lower food resource exploitation and problems in the predator avoidance. The behavioural tests described in the present study can be applied to measure the neurotoxicity of other metals compounds, to do plans and protocols for avoiding future ecological disasters. The behavioural changes of zebrafish exposed to methylmercury (II) chloride were similar to mammal models and they will have applications in future research.

Toxic metals biomonitoring based on prey-predator interactions and environmental forensics techniques: A study at the Romanian-Ukraine cross border of the Black Sea.

Marine cross-border areas are ideal for monitoring pollutants so as to increase ecosystems protection. This study was conducted at the Romanian-Ukraine border of the Black Sea to reveal evidence of contamination with toxic metals based on biomonitoring of: cadmium, lead, total chromium, nickel and copper at different water depths and prey-predator interactions, combined with environmental forensics techniques of biological sampling and separation in witnesses size groups. The species used were Mytilus galloprovincialis L. and Rapana venosa V. collected at 17.5m, 28m and 35m depth. An atomic absorption spectrometer with a high-resolution continuum source and graphite furnace was used for toxic metals quantification in various samples: sediments, soft tissue, stomach content, muscular leg, hepatopancreas. The best sample type, based on the pathology of metal location and bioaccumulation, is the hepatopancreas from R. venosa that proved a significant decrease of cadmium and lead at lower depths.

Toxic metals in tissues of fishes from the Black Sea and associated human health risk exposure.

The anthropogenic activities in the Black Sea area are responsible for toxic metal contamination of sea food products. In this study, several toxic metals: cadmium, lead, nickel, chromium, and copper were quantified in different tissues (digestive tract, muscle, skeleton, skin) of nine fish species (Neogobius melanostomus, Belone belone, Solea solea, Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus, Sardina pilchardus, Engraulis encrasicolus, Pomatomus saltatrix, Sprattus sprattus, Scorpaena porcus) by using atomic absorption spectrometer with a high-resolution continuum source and graphite furnace technique (HR-CS GF-AAS), and the risk of fish meat consumption by the young human population was evaluated. These metals are used in high amounts in industries located near the coastline such as shipyard construction and industrial plants. Toxic metal accumulation depends on fish feeding behavior, abiotic conditions, metal chemistry, and animal physiology. For instance, cadmium was measured in the muscle of the investigated species and average values of 0.0008-0.0338 mg kg-1 were obtained. The lowest average value of this metal was measured at benthic species N. melanostomus and the highest at the pelagic predator T. mediterraneus ponticus. Generally, the highest metal concentration was measured in the digestive tract that has the role of biofilter for these contaminants. The risk of contamination is significantly reduced by avoiding the consumption of certain fish tissues (digestive tract and skin for copper and skeleton for nickel). An estimation of the dietary metal intake to young consumers was realized for each of the studied species of fish from Romanian, Bulgarian, and Turkish waters, during the period 2001-2014 in order to evaluate the risks of chronic exposure in time due to metal toxicity. This estimation is important for the prevention of chronic exposure due to metal toxicity. Food exposure to studied metals showed a negative trend for Romania, Turkey, and Bulgaria based on the data provided by this study. The young consumers were highly exposed to these elements during the 2001-2006 period as proven by the results from this study.

Preliminary Data on the Interaction between Some Biometals and Oxidative Stress Status in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease Patients.

Increased interest regarding the biometal mechanisms of action and the pathways in which they have regulatory roles was lately observed. Particularly, it was shown that biometal homeostasis dysregulation may lead to neurodegeneration including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, or prion protein disease, since important molecular signaling mechanisms in brain functions implicate both oxidative stress and redox active biometals. Oxidative stress could be a result of a breakdown in metal-ion homeostasis which leads to abnormal metal protein chelation. In our previous work, we reported a strong correlation between Alzheimer's disease and oxidative stress. Consequently, the aim of the present work was to evaluate some of the biometals' levels (magnesium, manganese, and iron), the specific activity of some antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase), and a common lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde concentration), in mild cognitive impairment (n = 15) and Alzheimer's disease (n = 15) patients, compared to age-matched healthy subjects (n = 15). We found increased lipid peroxidation effects, low antioxidant defense, low magnesium and iron concentrations, and high manganese levels in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease patients, in a gradual manner. These data could be relevant for future association studies regarding the prediction of Alzheimer's disease development risk or circling through stages by analyzing both active redox metals, oxidative stress markers, and the correlations in between.

Patterns and mechanisms of dispersal in a keystone seagrass species.

Mechanisms and vectors of long-distance dispersal remain unknown for many coastal benthic species, including plants. Indications for the possibility for long-distance dispersal come from dispersal modelling and from genetic assessments, but have rarely been assessed with both methods. To this end, we assessed dispersal of the seagrass Zostera noltei, an important foundation species of the coastal zone. We investigate whether small scale seed dispersal and long-distance propagule dispersal do play a role for meta-population dynamics, using both genetic assessments based on eight microsatellite markers and physical modelling of ocean currents. Such assessments enhance our understanding of the biology and population dynamics of an important coastal foundation species. They are relevant for large scale conservation strategies as they give insights in the maintenance of genetic diversity and connectivity that may enhance resilience and resistance to stresses associated with seagrass loss.

Influence of urban activity in modifying water parameters, concentration and uptake of heavy metals in Typha latifolia L. into a river that crosses an industrial city.

BACKGROUND: Heavy metals like Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co and Cr can naturally be found almost all over this planet in various amounts. Urban activities such as heavy metal industry, traffic and waste can rapidly increase the metal concentrations in a fresh water ecosystem. METHODS: This study was done in natural conditions to capture as many aspects in heavy metals pollution and bioremediation of Nicolina River, Romania considered a stream model which is under anthropogenic pressure. Water, sediment and leaves samples of Typha latifolia L. were collected during October 2013 and analyzed in order to assess certain heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co and Cr) from each sampling site using GF-HR-CS-AAS with platform. Heavy metals in significant concentrations in cattail samples were correlated with the water parameters to show the possibility to use the cattail leaves as indicators in heavy metals pollution with potential in bioremediation because they can be easily harvested in autumn and this species is spread worldwide. RESULTS: The levels of metals concentrations in leaves were: Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Co knowing that copper is an essential element for plants. The sampling time was important to draw the river diagnosis for heavy metal pollution. The samples were collected, from river, after more than 60 days without rain same as a "human patient" prepared for blood test. Cobalt was considered the metal marker because it was an element with the lowest level of usage in the city. Compared with it only lead, cadmium and copper were used intensively in the industrial activities. CONCLUSIONS: T. latifolia L. can be use as an indicator for the health of the studied stream and it was noticed that the heavy metals were not accumulated, although the metal uptake was influenced by sediments and water parameters. The alkalinity of the studied river acts as an inhibitor in the bioremediation process of cattail for cadmium and copper. Lead was uptake by leaves and the water parameters influenced it but it wasn't concentrated enough in leaves to propose this species in lead bioremediation process for Nicolina River.