AN INVESTIGATION ON THE HEAVY METAL CONTENTS OF Myriophyllum verticillatum, Dreissena polymorpha, Potamon fluviatilis AND THEIR SEASONAL VARIATION IN LAKE KOVADA

Abstract

In this study, concentrations of heavy metal ions (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Al and Ni) were determined in Myriophyllum verticillatum (plant), Dreissena polymorpha (mussel) and Potamon fluviatilis (crab) by using ICP-OES in different seasons. Many taxa are benthic and, therefore, they are closely related to sediments, accumulate metals and tolerate up to low-moderate concentrations. Average annual rate of the heavy metal accumulation in Myriophyllum verticillatum plant followed the order of Al>Fe> Mn>Zn>Ni>Cr>Cu>Pb>Cd. Al, Fe and Mn were deposited at a high percentage, but the plant could tolerate this level of values. In Dreissena polymorpha, annual rate of the heavy metal accumulation in the muscle tissues was found to be Al>Fe>Zn>Ni>Mn>Cr >Cu>Cd>Pb but Al> Fe>Mn>Zn>Ni>Cr in the shell part. Al, Fe and Mn were also accumulated at a high proportion in invertebrate organisms. The rate of heavy metals accumulated in Potamon fluviatilis was determined to be Al>Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Cr>Ni. However, a significant correlation was observed between certain heavy metals in each season, but no heavy metal concentration reached the toxic level for living organisms.