Comparative analysis of Cu-, Mn- influence on the content of heavy metals in the tissues of the crucian carp in terms of living conditions of the population
The effect of Cu and Mn ions of the aquatic media on the content of heavy metals in the tissues of the crucian carp<i> Carassius auratus</i>, including their concentrations in metallothioneins (MTs) were investigated depending on living conditions of the population. The Cu, Zn and Mn concentrations in the tissues of control fish from the polluted site was lower, and Cd was higher compare to fish from the relatively clean site. It was shown that crucian carp from polluted site loses its ability to generate an adaptive response to the action of an additional damaging factor. That leads to unbalanced changes in metal concentrations in the gills tissue and their MTs and increased levels of metals in potentially toxic forms. The evaluation of metal-binding ability of MTs provides perfect image about the health status of organisms than the total content of heavy metals in the tissues.