Sturgeons heavy metal accumulation in the Lower Danube
Data and Resources
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Last Updated | June 12, 2018, 12:28 (UTC) |
| Created | September 13, 2017, 09:09 (UTC) |
| torok_zsolt2004@yahoo.co.uk | |
| Language | Eng |
| Abstract | The work includes results of the investigatins on bio-accumulation of heavy metals in tissues of sturgeons of the north-western Black Sea and Lower Danube River (LDR). Samples (10 – 30 gr) of liver, muscle, fat, gonads and skin tissues collected in October 2003 from 21 adult specimens of three sturgeon species: Acipenser stellatus (10), A. gueldenstaedtii (2), and Huso huso (9) were analysed for content of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Fe and Ni, using VARIAN Spectra A100. The highest concentrations of Zn, Cu and Cd were found in liver and the smallest in muscles of sturgeons. The highest heavy metal content was detected in tissues of stellate sturgeons, followed by Russian sturgeons. In all three species Cd and Cu content of the liver as well as of the stellate sturgeon muscle surpassed the admitted limits for human consumption (Cd – 0.05; Zn - 50; Cu – 5.0; Pb – 0.3 [mg/kg wet weight]). In view of a future re-opening of the commercial fishing of wild sturgeons it is strongly recommended testing the heavy metal level prior delivering sturgeon products to the market. Avoiding human consumption of liver of sturgeons captured in the LDR is strongly recommended as well. In the case of Cd a bio-accumulation with age of sturgeons was visible. In all species males seem to accumulate more heavy metals in their tissues. We explain this as effect of more frequent spawning migration of males in the LDR, the major contamination source. Beluga sturgeons show less heavy metal bio-accumulation of tissues. |
| License | CC-BY-4.0 |
| Classification | Biota |
| Creation date | 2013-02-14 |
| Publication date | 2013-09-30 |
| Last revision date | 2013-06-28 |
| INSPIRE theme | Species distribution |
| Free keywords | Biota, Species distribution, Sturgeons, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Black Sea, Romania |
| Temporal date | 2003-10-31 |
| Lineage | The work is based on the results of laboratory analyses performed on tissues harvested from sturgeons in October 2003. |
| Responsible party |
Organisation: Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Developent
Email: dalia@indd.tim.ro Role: Author |
| Spatial extent - North | 50.24 |
| Spatial extent - South | 42.08 |
| Spatial extent - East | 29.76 |
| Spatial extent - West | 8.15 |