CONTENT OF CD IN WATER, SEDIMENT, AQUATIC PLANTS AND MUSCULATURE OF CARP FROM SURFACE WATERBODIES IN STARA ZAGORA REGION, BULGARIA

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

Abstract: Cd is released in considerable amounts through industrial effluents into soil, surface and ground water systems. These excessive amounts of cadmium releasing into the environment reach toxic levels and cause damage to the flora and fauna of aquatic ecosystems. This study was carried out in order to survey and assess the levels of Cd in the water, sediment, aquatic plants and carp from different surface waterbodies in Stara Zagora Region, Bulgaria. International standards of ISO and BSS for sample preparation of water, sediment, aquatic plants and musculature of carp analyze were used. Concentration of Cd in the analyzed samples was determined by atomic adsorption spectrometry. Monitoring points at which was conducted the research are located in a region with a high degree of anthropogenic impact. Despite this fact, the concentrations of cadmium in all water samples tested were well below requirements defined by Directive 2008/105/EO and Directive 2013/39/EO. The concentrations of Cd were highest in sediment samples from Bedechka River (0.33 mg.kg–1), Tunja River, Nikolaevo Town
(0.31 mg.kg–1) and Sazliika River (0.26 mg.kg–1); in the aquatic plants from the Tunja River, Nikolaevo Town (1.89 mg.kg–1). Concentrations of cadmium in musculature of carp of the all studied points were significantly lower than established norms. Quantities of cadmium were not accumulated in the muscles of the fish test species probably due to their accumulation in organs with active metabolism (liver).

Keywords: aquatic plants; assessment; cadmium; carp; musculature; sediment; water

Date published: 2017-09-29