Heavy metals (HM) present in landfill leachate are the most dangerous pollutants, because they are stable, non-biodegradable and they can migrate from one biological system to another and accumulate in aquatic organisms. Fish are unique organisms capable to uptake and accumulate heavy metals. The aim of this study was to determine lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) accumulation in body tissues of bentophagous and predatory fishes from Kairiai landfill regional aquatic ecosystem (Švedė Creek and Ginkūnai Pond). The amount of HM in fish organs was established by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Investigated Pb concentrations in the tissues of fish ranged from 0.725 to 0.173 mg/kg of RM, and Zn concentrations ranged from 92.758 to 5,984 mg/kg of RM. Quantitatively Pb accumulates in the body tissues of bentophagous and predatory fishes by the following sequence: muscle>gills>liver, while Zn accumulates in the body tissues of fishes in this way: gills>liver>muscle. Most of Pb was detected in muscle of bentophagous and predatory fishes from 1 sampling station and muscle of bentophagous fish from 0 sampling station (an average 0.713 mg/kg of RM) and at least in gills of bentophagous fish from 6 sampling station (0.173 mg/kg of RM). Most of Zn was detected in gills of bentophagous fish from 1 sampling station and gills of predatory fish from 0 sampling station (an average 92.475 mg/kg of RM) and at least in muscle of bentophagous and predatory fishes from 4 sampling station. Detected Pb concentrations in muscle were 2.5 times higher than maximum allowable amounts (MAA) in fish and fish products while in gills and liver – 1.7 times higher. Detected Zn concentrations in gills were 1.2 times higher than MAA. Correlation analysis showed a statistically significant negative correlation between Pb and Zn concentration in the tissues of fish and distance to the landfill.

Article in: Lithuanian

Article published: 2015-09-29