CONTENT OF PB IN WATER, SEDIMENT, AQUATIC PLANTS AND MUSCULATURE OF COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO L.) FROM DIFFERENT WATER BODIES IN STARA ZAGORA REGION, BULGARIA

G. Kostadinova, V. Atanasov, G. Mihaylova, K. Velichkova, E. Valkova

Abstract: Heavy metals in high concentration in aquatic habitat (water bodies) are accumulated in different organisms, damaging their tissues and suppressing metabolic processes. The aim of present study was to survey and assessment of lead (Pb) levels in water, sediment, aquatic plants and musculature of Cyprinus carpio from different water bodies in Stara Zagora region, Bulgaria. International standards of ISO for sample preparation of water, sediment, aquatic plants and musculature of common carp analyze were used. The lead levels in collected samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The studied monitoring points located in a region that is under strong anthropogenic impact. However the levels of lead in the most of the investigated water bodies do not exceed the statutory requirements set by Directive 2008/105/EC and Directive 2013/39/EC. The highest lead concentrations in sediments were measured in Tunja River, Nikolaevo Town (42.96 mg.kg–1), Sazliika River (25.38 mg.kg–1) and Bedechka River (23.88 mg.kg–1). Whit the highest values of this element in the aquatic plants are characterized Sazliika River (9.26 mg.kg–1), Tunja River, Banya Village (8.02 mg.kg–1) and Bedechka River (5.12 mg.kg–1). The highest concentration of lead in the musculature, 5 times exceeding the established norms differ Jrebchevo Dam Lake (1.19 mg.kg–1). These results clearly demonstrate the ability of the sediment, aquatic plants and fish to serve as excellent indicators of lead pollution.

Keywords: aquatic plants; assessment; common carp musculature; lead; sediment; water

Date published: 2017-09-04