Assesing relationships between chemical exposure, parasite infection, fish health and fish ecological status: A case study using chub (Leuciscus cephalus) in the Bílina river, Czech Republic
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Animal diseases, veterinary medicine |
| Keywords | multiple stressors; environmental risk assessment; biomarkers; parasites; fish health |
| Description | The present study, investigated the chub (L. cephalus), in the Bílina River (CR), which is impacted by various pollution sources and might pose a risk on the fish. It was examined whether there exists an association between chub and exposure to toxic chemicals and parasites. Toxic pressure was assessed by the toxic unit approach, which gives an integrative estimate of toxic effect concentrations and by measuring the biomarkers cytochrome P4501A and vitellogenin. Parasite pressure was estimated by determining abundance and species composition of parasites. Toxic pressure increased in the downstream direction, while parasite intensity decreased in this direction. Health status of chub did not differ clearly between sites. It appears that neither toxic pressure nor parasite pressure nor does their combination translate into a change of chub health status. This study provides evidence against a presumed causative role of toxicants impairing the fish populations of the Bílina River. |
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