Transfer of Heavy Metals Through Three Components: Sediments, Plants and Fish in the Area with Previous Mining Activity.

This study aims to evaluate the ecological risk and distribution of heavy metals in sediment, plants and fish in a seriously polluted water reservoir in Krompachy, Slovakia. Special attention was given to the different food web positions of individual fish species (predators, omnivores) and their size. The degree of heavy metal contamination in sediments decreased in the order Cu > Pb > Cr > Hg > Cd, and their mutual proportion was largely consistent with concentrations found in aquatic plants, i.

Morphological abnormalities in fish parasites: a potential tool for biomonitoring natural contaminants?

A comparative study on the strobilar morphology of the tapeworm Proteocephalus percae (Müller, 1780) (Cestoda), a parasite of the perch Perca fluviatilis (L.), showed a high percentage of abnormally developed parasite individuals. The evaluation of biological samples showed seven types of morphological abnormalities, mostly related to reproductive organs of the model tapeworm species.

Variability in responses of soil nematodes to trace element contamination.

Free-living soil nematodes and plant parasites were previously repeatedly tested for their use as bioindicators of soil contamination. We investigated soil nematode communities from grasslands in four different industrial areas in Slovakia to estimate their responses to heavy metals. We considered differences or similarities in behavioural reactions of nematodes to different quantities of selected heavy metals in the soil.

A synoptic review of Caryophyllaeus Gmelin, 1790 (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), parasites of cyprinid fishes.

Tapeworms of the genus Caryophyllaeus Gmelin, 1790 (Caryophyllidea: Caryophyllaeidae), common parasites of cyprinid fishes, are reviewed and taxonomic status of 42 nominal taxa that have been placed in the genus during its long history is clarified. The following seven species occurring in the Palaearctic Region are recognised as valid: C. laticeps (Pallas, 1781), C.