Assessment of the state of the Protoka river water system by toxicological and bioindicative indicators

Abstract

Water resources are one of the most important, but at the same time the most impressible components of the environment. This component is able to change very quickly under the influence of economic and human activities. The constant growth of anthropogenic pressure on the hydrosphere, changes in water regime and surface water reserves cause to impairment of quantitative and qualitative indicators of surface water. Biological tests play a special role in assessing the environment state. The results of chemical analysis performed with the help of complex equipment, in many cases do not allow assessing the true danger of pollutants on the environment, to predict the effects of their impact on living organisms. Various pollutants, getting into the environment, can undergo transformations, while increasing their toxic effects. For this reason, methods of integrated assessment of the quality of the aquatic environment are necessary. Biotesting methods play a huge role in this. Biotestingis used for express control over industrial waste, control of technological processes in real time; to determine the level of toxicity of new products, to control the toxic effects of materials, drugs, food, to determine the quality of drinking water, etc. The methodological possibilities of studying the toxicity of various substances on test organisms have significantly expanded over the last twenty years. We are intensively searching for the most sensitive test objects and indicators. Instrumental methods of analysis are being worked out. Various methods are used to assess the quality of the aquatic environment, changes in the parameters of physiological systems and the biochemical status of test organisms, test organs.The Protoka River ecological condition in Bila Tserkva district of Kyiv region was studied by bioindication methods (study of fluctuating asymmetry of aquatic organisms’ development, growth test to establish phytotoxicity of water and coastal soil). Toxicological investigation (pH determination, TDS, content of heavy metals in the coastal soil) were set. Histological parameters of silver carp parenchymal organs were conducted. Changes in the histostructure of the liver and kidneys of silver carp were detected. They indicate unfavorable conditions for fish. The obtained results can be used for ecological monitoring of the aquatic environment.