Assessment of POP's contamination of the Svitava and Svratka rivers using selected biochemical markers

• Authors: KOVAROVA Jana; BLAHOVA Jana; HAVELKOVA Marcela; KRUZIKOVA Kamila; TOMSEJOVA Sarka; JURCIKOVA Jana; HARUŠTIAKOVÁ Danka; SVOBODOVA Zdenka
• Year of publication: 2009
• Type: Conference abstract
• MU Faculty or unit: Faculty of Science
• Description: The aim of the presented study was to assess aquatic ecosystem contamination of the Svitava and Svratka rivers using selected biochemical markers: cytochrome P450, EROD and GST in chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.). Seven locations on the Svitava and Svratka rivers (in the Brno conurbation, Czech Republic) were assessed and compared with the levels of most important inductors of these biomarkers persistent organic pollutants monitored in 2007 and 2008. The highest levels of pollutants: hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), DDT and its metabolites, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were observed at sites situated downstream from Brno, especially at Modrice and Rajhradice, where positive correlations (p < 0.05) with biomarkers were found. Brno agglomeration has a negative influence on the water pollution by POPs.

Related projects

• Interactions among the chemicals, environment and biological systems and their consequences on the global, regional and local scales (INCHEMBIOL)