Temporal variation of biomarkers in common bream Abramis brama (L., 1758) exposed to untreated municipal wastewater in the Danube River in Belgrade, Serbia

This study was conducted on the Danube River locality Visnjica, exposed to the discharge of the largest wastewater collector in Serbia's capital, Belgrade. Concentrations of metals and metalloids (Al, Fe, Cr, As, Sr, Mn, Cd, Zn, Mo, Cu, Li, Ni, B, Co, Pb, and Ba) and histopathological alterations were investigated in different tissues of common bream during one representative month of each season in 2014. This is the first study in which these two biomarkers were assessed parallelly in common bream. The highest concentrations of examined elements were noticed in gills and the lowest in muscle. Statistically significant differences in element concentrations between different seasons were noticed only in gills for Al, Cu, and Fe. Concentrations of As and Pb in fish muscle were below the maximum acceptable concentrations (MAC). The histopathological index (HI) of the liver showed higher values in comparison to the HI of the gills. Histopathological index of the gills had a significantly higher score in November in comparison to August. The liver HI had the highest score in April, and the lowest in August, while the total histopathological index had the highest score in November, and the lowest in August, both without significant differences between the months. This study endorses gills and liver as reliable organs for studying accumulation and histopathology as biomarkers of environmental changes. A faster reaction of the gills was confirmed since seasonal variations of both biomarkers were observed in this organ. Common bream proved as a good indicator of the state of organisms in polluted environments.

Automated summary

This study conducted on common bream in the Danube River exposed to wastewater discharge in Serbia's capital examined concentrations of metals and metalloids, as well as histopathological alterations in different tissues. The research highlighted gills and liver as reliable organs for studying accumulation and histopathology, showcasing the faster reaction of gills to environmental changes. Common bream proves to be a good indicator of organism health in polluted environments.