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Assessment of multiple anthropogenic contaminants and their potential genotoxicity in the aquatic environment of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

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Abstract

In this study, the influence of anthropogenic pollution on the aquatic environment of Plitvice Lakes National Park (PLNP) was investigated during 2011–2012 using a combination of chemical and cytogenetic analyses. Four groups of major contaminants [(volatile organic compounds: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX); persistent organochlorine pollutants: organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); major and trace elements; anthropogenic radionuclides (90Sr, 134Cs, and 137Cs)] were determined in three aquatic compartments (water, sediment, fish). Mass fractions of inorganic constituents in different compartments reflected the geological background of the area, indicating their origin from predominantly natural sources. Levels of volatile and persistent organic compounds in water and fish, respectively, were very low, at levels typical for remote pristine areas. Analysis of anthropogenic radionuclides in water and sediment revealed elevated activity concentrations of 137Cs in water, and measurable 134Cs in the upper sediment layers from April 2011, possibly as a consequence of the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011. The potential genotoxicity of river and lake water and lake sediment was assessed under laboratory conditions using the alkaline comet assay on human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and measured levels of primary DNA damage were within acceptable boundaries. The results showed that despite the protected status of the park, anthropogenic impact exists in both its terrestrial and aquatic components. Although contaminant levels were low, further monitoring is recommended to make sure that they will not rise and cause potentially hazardous anthropogenic impacts.

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Acknowledgments

The project “Monitoring of organic and inorganic pollutants in the environment of the Plitvice Lakes National Park” was financed by the Public Institution Plitvice Lakes National Park (Contract no. 01-100-243/10, Zagreb; 14983/10, Plitvice Lakes). The authors would like to thank Ružica Rozgaj for technical support and assistance in the comet assay analyses, Jasminka Senčar for gamma-ray spectrometry analyses, Ljerka Petroci for Sr determinations, Mladen Komesar, Mak Avdić and Ranka Godec for field sampling, and Makso Herman for language editing.

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  1. Analytical Toxicology and Mineral Metabolism Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, PO Box 291, 10001, Zagreb, Croatia

    Zorana Kljaković-Gašpić, Irena Brčić Karačonji, Nataša Brajenović, Jasna Jurasović, Tatjana Orct & Ankica Sekovanić

  2. Biochemistry and Organic Analytical Chemistry Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, PO Box 291, 10001, Zagreb, Croatia

    Snježana Herceg Romanić & Darija Klinčić

  3. Radiation Protection Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, PO Box 291, 10001, Zagreb, Croatia

    Tomislav Bituh, Iva Franulović & Gordana Marović

  4. Mutagenesis Unit, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska c. 2, PO Box 291, 10001, Zagreb, Croatia

    Vilena Kašuba, Nevenka Kopjar, Mirta Milić & Davor Želježić

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Kljaković-Gašpić, Z., Herceg Romanić, S., Bituh, T. et al. Assessment of multiple anthropogenic contaminants and their potential genotoxicity in the aquatic environment of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Environ Monit Assess 190, 694 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-7028-1

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