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Comparative Assessment of the Content of Transition Metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cd) and Radiocesium (137Cs) in Pike (Esox lucius) and Burbot (Lota lota) of the Yenisei River

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Contemporary Problems of Ecology Aims and scope

Abstract

The trophic position of fish is one of the most important factors controlling the accumulation of potentially toxic elements and compounds in fish tissues, primarily via the spectrum of fish nutrition. In this study, the content of potentially toxic transition metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cd) and radiocesium (137Cs) in the edible tissues (muscles and liver) of two representatives of the fish-eating ichthyofauna of the Yenisei River, northern pike (Esox lucius) and burbot (Lota lota), have been comparatively studied relatively to the size of the fish. A significant decrease in the content of radiocesium and zinc in the muscles of pike and zinc in the liver of pike with an increase in body size has been recorded in juvenile pikes with a body weight (W) of less than 0.35 kg. For larger sexually mature pikes, no significant size dependences of the accumulation of metals in tissues are found. A positive correlation is found between the content of 137Cs, Cu, Zn, and Mn in muscles and the size of burbot in the W range from 0.42 to 1.62 kg. The tissues of burbots and pikes of the same size significantly (p < 0.05) differ in the concentration of metals in their tissues: concentrations of Zn and Mn are 1.6–2.2 times higher in the muscle of burbot; the concentration of Pb is 1.8 times higher in muscle of pike; Cu is twice as high in the liver of burbot; and Zn and Mn are 4.7 and 1.6 times higher in the liver of pike, respectively. These differences may be due to the different food spectra of pike and burbot. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, and Mn in the liver of pike are 3–7 times higher than in muscle; the concentration of Cu in the liver of burbot is 5 times higher than in muscle. Pb and Cd tend to be higher in liver than muscle for both fish species. Despite the revealed size dependences, the concentrations of potentially toxic metals and radiocesium in the muscles and liver of fish are below the permissible concentrations for food. These results can be used to assess environmental risks for the population consuming fish, as well as to plan for the long-term environmental monitoring of rivers using representatives of piscivorous fish.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to K.N. Stoyanov (Siberian Federal University) and R.V. Borisov (Institute of Biophysics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences) for their help in preparing samples.

Funding

This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant no. 18-44-240003, and the Government of Krasnoyarsk krai, together with the Krasnoyarsk Regional Fund for Support of Scientific and Technical Activity, grant no. 20-44-240004.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biophysics, Krasnoyarsk Science Center, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 50 Akademgorodok, 660036, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

    T. A. Zotina, O. V. Anishchenko, E. A. Trofimova & D. V. Dementiev

  2. Institute of Fundamental Biology and Biotechnology, Siberian Federal University, 660036, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

    T. A. Zotina

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  1. T. A. Zotina
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Translated by N. Ruban

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Zotina, T.A., Anishchenko, O.V., Trofimova, E.A. et al. Comparative Assessment of the Content of Transition Metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cd) and Radiocesium (137Cs) in Pike (Esox lucius) and Burbot (Lota lota) of the Yenisei River. Contemp. Probl. Ecol. 15, 91–99 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1995425522010115

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