The assessment of metal availability and effects on feral fish in the rivers under the impact of mining activities
Principal investigator
Project type
Znanstveno-istraživački projekti
Programme
Bilateralna suradnja Hrvatska - Makedonija
Financier
Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia
Start date
Jul 1st 2012
End date
Jun 30th 2014
Status
Done
Total cost
22530 HRK
The aim of the study was to assess the metal pollution of river water in areas affected by mining activities (Pb/Zn mines Zletovo and Toranica) in North Macedonia (Bregalnica, Zletovska and Kriva rivers). The availability of metals to fish was assessed based on the determination of dissolved metal concentrations in water, metal concentrations in the cytosolic fraction of Vardar chub tissues (liver, gills, digestive tract), and metal concentrations in intestinal parasites. The effects of metals were assessed based on pathohistological analysis of gill, liver, gonad and spleen tissues.