Publication details
The correlation between fish mercury liver/muscle ratio and high and low levels of mercury contamination in Czech localities
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | International Journal of Electrochemical Science |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Electrochemistry |
| Keywords | Czech rivers; Skalka Reservoir; Zelivka Reservoir; chub |
| Description | The aim of our study was to divide selective Czech locations into sites that were either heavily or lightly contaminated with mercury on the basis of results of the total mercury liver/muscle ratio in fish. A total of 660 fish of 6 predatory and 8 non-predatory species were collected from 1974 to 2011 at 19 locations of surface water in the Czech Republic. Muscle and liver of fish were analyzed for total mercury content and then the total mercury liver/muscle ratio was calculated. Firstly, indicator chub was studied at fourteen sites and the total mercury liver/muscle ratio was not found to exceed a value of 1. The ratio (about 0.8) from the Odra-Bohumin site was significantly higher in comparison with other sites. Secondly, significantly higher ratios were found for both predators and non-predators from the Skalka Reservoir (>1) in comparison with other studied sites (Luznice, Otava, Jordan, Berounka; <0.5). The obtained results show that the Skalka Reservoir is still heavily contaminated by mercury. Finally, total mercury liver/muscle ratios of five predator fish were evaluated for the man-made Zelivka Reservoir from 1974 to 2011. Mercury contamination was confirmed in the period after impoundment (the total mercury liver/muscle ratio was higher than 1) and also twenty-five years after flooding. The obtained results confirm that the total mercury liver/muscle ratio can be used for the assessment of mercury contamination, a ratio higher than 1 indicating that a location is heavily contaminated with mercury. |