Heavy metal contamination of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) caught in wild ecosystems in Spain.

In this study we analyzed the pattern of copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) accumulation in liver (as a detoxifying organ) and muscle (as the most important tissue for human consumption) of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla) caught in two wild Spanish rivers where both species are usually angled for human consumption. Cd, Pb, and Cu accumulated preferentially in the liver of both species. Hg accumulated both in the liver and muscle in brown trout, whereas it accumulated preferentially in muscle in European eel.

Induction of micronuclei in eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) by heavy metals.

Micronucleus test was performed in situ on eels (Anguilla anguilla) from river sites with different levels of heavy metal pollution (cadmium and mercury). Cadmium content in eel liver but not micronuclei averages in kidney were associated with cadmium content in sediments. Mercury content in liver was not significantly associated with mercury content in sediments.

Metallothionein as bioindicator of freshwater metal pollution: European eel and brown trout.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of metallothionein (MT) as a bioindicator of heavy metal pollution in brown trout and European eel in the field situation. River Ferrerias (North Spain) provided a good gradient of metal contamination: concentrations of heavy metals were elevated both in water and in sediments at the downstream (polluted) site and were low at the upstream (unpolluted) site. MT levels of brown trout exhibited statistically significant differences between sites.

Metallothionein and heavy metals in brown trout (Salmo trutta) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla): a comparative study.

The levels and the cellular distribution of heavy metals, and the extent by which the metals binds to metallothionein (MT) in brown trout (Salmo trutta) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla), were analyzed in order to assess the natural conditions of MT and heavy metals in these two fish species. There were no differences in heavy metals and MT concentrations between males and females of brown trout in a nonreproductive status and between adult brown trout individuals. Brown trout presented higher Cu content than European eel.

Brown trout and European minnow as target species for genotoxicity tests: differential sensitivity to heavy metals.

Brown trout (Salmo trutta) and European minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) were evaluated as target species to carry out genotoxicity tests. Assessment was made of their relative abundance in wild; their distribution areas; and their sensitivity to heavy metals, intraperitoneally exposing individuals of both species to a low dose (1.7 mg/kg body weight) of different heavy metals.