Integrated Monitoring with Moss-Bag and Mussel Transplants in Reservoirs

Abstract

For the first time, transplants with moss-bags and mussels together were applied to study the water quality in standing water bodies. The tested species: Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. and Sinanodonta woodiana (Lea, 1834) were collected from unpolluted sites and analyzed to obtain background levels. Then, the moss and mussels were left in cages for a period of 30 days in three reservoirs where both are not present naturally. Two of the reservoirs suffer from old industrial contamination and one is affected by untreated wastes. Twenty-four compounds were studied, among them trace elements Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and organic priority substances: six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congeners and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). The trace element accumulation was significant after the exposition period in all studied stations. PBDEs and SCCPs were also accumulated up to two times more in the moss tissues. PBDEs in the mussels exceeded the environmental quality standard (EQS). The applied combined transplants, and especially the moss-bags, revealed severe contamination with heavy metals not detected by the water samples. The moss and the mussel followed a different model of trace element and PBDEs accumulation. The SCCPs levels were alarmingly high in all plant samples. The study confirmed PBDEs and SCCPs as bioaccumulative compounds and suggested that an EQS for SCCPs in biota needs to be established.

Can Biomarkers Respond Upon Freshwater Pollution?—A Moss-Bag Approach

“…Increased number of cells and decreased cell size, mainly in width, was registered in Fontinalis antipyretica exposed at all three reservoirs. The tested micromorphological biomarkers showed response in conditions of heavy contamination with Al, As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb (Kardzhali Reservoir), with Al, Cd, Cr, Cu and Pb (Studen Kladenets Reservoir), with SCCPs (Zhrebchevo Reservoir) and PBDEs in all three reservoirs [ 24 ]. Nevertheless, the most pronounced was the alteration in the above biomarkers in the moss samples from Zhrebchevo Reservoir, which could be linked with the assessed short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in water above the EQS and a maximum of 9.2 µg kg −1 accumulated in the moss-bags.…”

“…The selected reservoirs are affected by a different degree of pollution [ 24 ]. Kardzhali (41.638475° N, 25.304432° E WGS 84) and Studen Kladenets (41.622244° N, 25.441933° E WGS 84) reservoirs suffer from old industrial contamination and have sediments’ loads of priority substances (e.g., Cd and Pb).…”

“…Zhrebchevo Reservoir (42.585571° N, 25.885592° E WGS 84) is located in a region with light industries but is under the influence of illegal dumping sites (solid waste) and untreated wastewaters. Among the studied reservoirs, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Zn had maximum levels in the water from Studen Kladenets, Al and Cr in Kardzhali Reservoir, as well as both reservoirs had maximum of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congeners [ 24 ]. Only short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) had maximum in water samples from Zhrebchevo Reservoir, above the environmental quality standard (EQS).…”

“…The most commonly used moss in water quality monitoring, Fontinalis antipyretica is widespread throughout the northern hemisphere and is the most easily recognized [ 23 ]. The selected species can be successfully employed as a biomonitor in water bodies where it does not naturally present [ 24 ]. An exposition to Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn led to increased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GRD), ascorbate (APX) and guaiacol peroxidases (GPX) in Fontinalis antipyretica [ 25 ], as well as a correlation between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and antioxidant enzymes was reported [ 26 ].…”

Metal Accumulation and Effect of Vitamin C and E in Accumulated Heavy Metals in Different Tissues in Common Carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>) Treated with Heavy Metals

“…Research into different types of fish has shown that heavy metals can lead to changes in the physiological activity and biochemical parameters of various tissues of these organisms [2,[7][8][9]. Heavy metals pose a risk to aquatic ecosystems due to their bioaccumulation.…”