Skip to main content

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

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 190, Article number: 694 (2018) Cite this article

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

References

  • Aksoy, A., Guvenc, D., Yavuz, O., Das, Y. K., & Atmaca, E. (2012). Seasonal variation of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticide levels of sea and cultured farm fish in the Samsun region of Turkey. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 88(6), 842–849. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-012-0561-7.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alam, M. G. M., Tanaka, A., Allinson, G., Laurenson, L. J. B., Stagnitti, F., & Snow, E. T. (2002). A comparison of trace element concentrations in cultured and wild carp (Cyprinus carpio) of Lake Kasumigaura, Japan. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 53(3), 348–354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0147-6513(02)00012-X.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albertini, R. J., Anderson, D., Douglas, G. R., Hagmar, L., Hemminki, K., Merlo, F., Natarajan, A. T., Norppa, H., Shuker, D. E., Tice, R., Waters, M. D., & Aitio, A. (2000). IPCS guidelines for the monitoring of genotoxic effects of carcinogens in humans. International Programme on Chemical Safety. Mutation Research, 463(2), 111–172.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alibabić, V., Vahčić, N., & Bajramović, M. (2007). Bioaccumulation of metals in fish of Salmonidae family and the impact on fish meat quality. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 131(1–3), 349–364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-006-9480-6.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • AMAP (2005). AMAP assessment 2002: heavy metals in the Arctic. Oslo, Norway: Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) xvi + 265 pp. https://www.amap.no/documents/doc/amap-assessment-2002-heavy-metals-in-the-arctic/97. Accessed 02 August 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arambarri, I., Lasa, M., Garcia, R., & Millán, E. (2004). Determination of fuel dialkyl ethers and BTEX in water using headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–flame ionization detection. Journal of Chromatography A, 1033(2), 193–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2004.01.046.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babić, D., Avdić, M., Bituh, T., Branica, G., Franić, Z., Franulović, I., et al. (2015). Radioaktivnost u okolišu NP Plitvička jezera 1: tlo, jezerska i riječna voda. In B. Petrinec et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of the Tenth Symposium of the Croatian Radiation Protection Association (pp. 299–304) Šibenik, Croatia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babinka, S. (2007). Multi-tracer study of karst waters and lake sediments in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina: Plitvice Lakes National Park and Bihać area. Dissertation, Der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät und der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany.

  • Bard, S. M. (1999). Global transport of anthropogenic contaminants and the consequences for the Arctic marine ecosystem. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 38(5), 356–379. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0025-326X(99)00041-7.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barešić, J., Horvatinčić, N., & Roller-Lutzb, Z. (2011). Spatial and seasonal variations in the stable C isotope composition of dissolved inorganic carbon and in physico-chemical water parameters in the Plitvice Lakes system. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies, 47(3), 316–329. https://doi.org/10.1080/10256016.2011.596625.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bargagli, R. (2008). Environmental contamination in Antarctic ecosystems. Science of the Total Environment, 400(1–3), 212–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.06.062.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bayarri, S., Baldassarri, L. T., Iacovella, N., Ferrara, F., & di Domenico, A. (2001). PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs and DDE in edible marine species from the Adriatic Sea. Chemosphere, 43(4–7), 601–610. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(00)00412-4.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Binelli, A., & Provini, A. (2003). The PCB pollution of Lake Iseo (N. Italy) and the role of biomagnification in the pelagic food web. Chemosphere, 53(2), 143–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00441-7.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bordajandi, L. R., Gómez, G., Fernández, M. A., Abad, E., Rivera, J., & González, M. J. (2003). Study on PCBs, PCDD/Fs, organochlorine pesticides, heavy metals and arsenic content in freshwater fish species from the River Turia (Spain). Chemosphere, 53(2), 163–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00417-X.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bošnir, J., Puntarić, D., Šmit, Z., Klarić, M., Grgić, M., & Kosanović, L. M. (2007). Organochlorine pesticides in freshwater fish from the Zagreb area. Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju, 58(2), 187–193. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10004-007-0011-9.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brčić Karačonji, I., Skender, L., & Karačić, V. (2006). Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and isomeric xylenes in various water samples in Croatia. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 76(3), 458–462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-006-0943-9.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burger, J., Gochfeld, M., Shukla, T., Jeitner, C., Burke, S., Donio, M., Shukla, S., Snigaroff, R., Snigaroff, D., Stamm, T., & Volz, C. (2007). Heavy metals in Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) from the Aleutians: Location, age, size, and risk. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 70(22), 1897–1911. https://doi.org/10.1080/15287390701551159.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camarero, L., Botev, I., Muri, G., Psenner, R., Rose, N., & Stuchlik, E. (2009). Trace elements in alpine and arctic lake sediments as a record of diffuse atmospheric contamination across Europe. Freshwater Biology, 54, 2518–2532.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) (2014a). Canadian water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. http://st-ts.ccme.ca/en/index.html?chems=all&chapters=1. Accessed 10 January 2016.

  • CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) (2014b). Canadian water quality guidelines for the protection of agriculture. http://st-ts.ccme.ca/en/index.html?chems=all&chapters=2. Accessed 10 January 2016.

  • CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) (2014c) Canadian sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. http://www.ccme.ca/en/resources/canadian_environmental_quality_guidelines/. Accessed 10 January 2016.

  • Chovancová, J., Kočan, A., & Jursa, S. (2005). PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in food of animal origin (Slovakia). Chemosphere, 61(9), 1305–1311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.03.057.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, A. R. (2004). The comet assay for DNA damage and repair: Principles, applications, and limitations. Molecular Biotechnology, 26(3), 249–261. https://doi.org/10.1385/MB:26:3:249.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comet Assay Interest Group (2000). The comet assay modified for detection of oxidised bases with the use of bacterial repair endonucleases. http://cometassay.com/COmet%20Assay%20with%20DNA%20repair%20enzymes.pdf. Accessed 24 March 2018.

  • Cossa, D., Auger, D., Averty, B., Lucon, M., Masselin, P., & Nöel, J. (1992). Flounder (Platichthys flesus) muscle as an indicator of metal and organochlorine contamination of French Atlantic coastal waters. Ambio, 21(2), 176–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotelle, S., & Férard, J. (1999). Comet assay in genetic ecotoxicology: A review. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 34, 246–255.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covaci, A., Bervoets, L., Hoff, P., Voorspoels, S., Voets, J., Van Campenhout, K., Blust, R., & Schepens, P. (2005). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in freshwater mussels and fish from Flanders, Belgium. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 7(2), 132–136. https://doi.org/10.1039/b413574a.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dautović, J., Fiket, Ž., Barešić, J., Ahel, M., & Mikac, N. (2013). Sources, distribution and behavior of major and trace elements in a complex karst lake system. Aquatic Geochemistry, 20(1), 19–38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10498-013-9204-9.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demirak, A., Yilmaz, F., Levent Tuna, A., & Ozdemir, N. (2006). Heavy metals in water, sediment and tissues of Leuciscus cephalus from a stream in southwestern Turkey. Chemosphere, 63(9), 1451–1458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.09.033.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dvorščak, M. (2015). Trace analysis of persistent organochlorine compounds in soil and atmospheric particles. Dissertation, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia (in Croatian).

  • EC (European Commission) (2006). Commission regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Official Journal of the European Union, L364, 5–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • EC (European Commission) (2011a). Commission regulation (EU) No 1259/2011 of 2 December 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels for dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs. Official Journal of the European Union, 1259(320), 18–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • EC (European Commission) (2011b). Commission regulation (EU) No 420/2011 of 29 April 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Official Journal of the European Union, L111, 3–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • EC (European Commission) (2013). Directive 2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 12 August 2013 amending Directives 2000/60/EC and 2008/105/EC as regards priority substances in the field of water policy. Official Journal of the European Union, L226(24.8.2013), 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • EC (European Commission) (2014). Commission regulation (EU) No 488/2014 of 12 May 2014 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels of cadmium in foodstuffs. Official Journal of the European Union, L138, 75–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2012). Update of the monitoring of levels of dioxins and PCBs in food and feed. EFSA Journal, 10(7), 1–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franić, Z., Lokobauer, N., & Marović, G. (2004). Radiostrontium activity concentrations in milk in the Republic of Croatia for 1961-2001 and dose assessment. Health Physics, 87(2), 160–165. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-200408000-00004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frenzilli, G., Nigro, M., & Lyons, B. (2009). The comet assay for the evaluation of genotoxic impact in aquatic environments. Mutation Research, 681(1), 80–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mrrev.2008.03.001.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaillardet, J., Viers, J., & Dupre, B. (2004). Trace elements in river waters. In H. Holland & K. Turekian (Eds.), Treatise on geochemistry: Surface and ground water, weathering and soils (pp. 225–272). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glei, M., Schneider, T., & Schlörmann, W. (2016). Comet assay: An essential tool in toxicological research. Archives of Toxicology, 90(10), 2315–2336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-016-1767-y.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • HASL-300 (1997). EML Procedures Manual, 28th edition. https://www.orau.org/ptp/PTP%20Library/library/DOE/eml/hasl300/HASL300TOC.htm. Accessed 15 January 2018.

  • Herceg Romanić, S. (2012). Monitoring of organic and inorganic pollutants in the environment of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Annual Report for 2012. Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia (in Croatian).

  • Herceg Romanić, S., Kljaković-Gašpić, Z., Klinčić, D., & Ujević, I. (2014a). Distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in cultured mussels from the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea. Chemosphere, 114, 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.017.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herceg Romanić, S., Holcer, D., Lazar, B., Klinčić, D., Mackelworth, P., & Fortuna, C. M. (2014b). Organochlorine contaminants in tissues of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus from the northeastern part of the Adriatic Sea. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 38(2), 469–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2014.07.017.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herceg Romanić, S., Klinčić, D., Kljaković-Gašpic, Z., Kusak, J., Reljić, S., & Huber, Đ. (2015). Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in wild terrestrial mammals from Croatia: Interspecies comparison of residue levels and compositions. Chemosphere, 137, 52–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herceg Romanić, S., Kljaković-Gašpić, Z., Bituh, T., Žužul, S., Dvoršćak, M., Fingler, S., Jurasović, J., Klinčić, D., Marović, G., Orct, T., Rinkovec, J., & Stipičević, S. (2016). The impact of multiple anthropogenic contaminants on the terrestrial environment of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-5030-4.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horvatinčić, N. (1985). Određivanje starosti sedre u području Plitvičkih jezera metodom radiokativnog ugljika 14C. Dissertation, University of Zagreb, Croatia (in Croatian).

  • Horvatinčić, N., Briansó, J. L., Obelić, B., Barešić, J., & Krajcar Bronić, I. (2006). Study of pollution of the Plitvice Lakes by water and sediment analyses. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 6(5–6), 475–485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11267-006-9031-8.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horvatinčić, N., Barešić, J., Babinka, S., Obelić, B., Bronić, I. K., Vreča, P., & Suckow, A. (2008). Towards a deeper understanding of how carbonate isotopes (14C, 13C, 18O) reflect environmental changes: A study with recent 210Pb-dated sediments of the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia. Radiocarbon, 50(2), 233–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horvatinčić, N., Sironić, A., Barešić, J., Krajcar Bronić, I., Nikolov, J., Todorović, N., Hansman, J., & Krmar, M. (2014). Isotope analyses of the lake sediments in the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia. Central European Journal of Physics, 12(10), 707–713. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11534-014-0490-7.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • IAEA (1989). Measurement of radionuclides in food and the environment. Technical Report No. 295. Vienna: IAEA.

    Google Scholar 

  • IAHKC (2013). International Association of Hydrogeologists Karst Commission official web site. http://karst.iah.org/default.html. Accessed 20 June 2014.

  • Isosaari, P., Hallikainen, A., Kiviranta, H., Vuorinen, P. J., Parmanne, R., Koistinen, J., & Vartiainen, T. (2006). Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, biphenyls, naphthalenes and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the edible fish caught from the Baltic Sea and lakes in Finland. Environmental Pollution, 141(2), 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2005.08.055.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janković, S., Ćurčić, M., Radičević, T., Stefanović, S., Lenhardt, M., Durgo, K., & Antonijević, B. (2011). Non-dioxin-like PCBs in ten different fish species from the Danube river in Serbia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 181(1–4), 153–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1820-x.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeran, Z., Jaćimović, R., Vreča, P., & Brancelj, A. (2002). Distribution of metals and trace elements in sediments of three Alpine lakes. Geologija, 45(2), 407–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jha, A. N. (2008). Ecotoxicological applications and significance of the comet assay. Mutagenesis, 23(3), 207–221. https://doi.org/10.1093/mutage/gen014.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalantzi, I., Black, K. D., Pergantis, S. A., Shimmield, T. M., Papageorgiou, N., Sevastou, K., & Karakassis, I. (2013). Metals and other elements in tissues of wild fish from fish farms and comparison with farmed species in sites with oxic and anoxic sediments. Food Chemistry, 141(2), 680–694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.04.049.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kljaković-Gašpić, Z. (1999). Cadmium and lead content in liver and muscle tissue of hake, Merluccius merluccius (L.), red mullet, Mullus barbatus L., and pandora fish, Pagellus erythrinus (L.), from the Adriatic Sea. Master’s thesis, University of Zagreb, Croatia (in Croatian).

  • Kljaković-Gašpić, Z., Zvonarić, T., Vrgoč, N., Odžak, N., & Barić, A. (2002). Cadmium and lead in selected tissues of two commercially important fish species from the Adriatic Sea. Water Research, 36(20), 5023–5028. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(02)00111-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kljaković-Gašpić, Z., Herceg Romanić, S., Kožul, D., & Veža, J. (2010). Biomonitoring of organochlorine compounds and trace metals along the Eastern Adriatic coast (Croatia) using Mytilus galloprovincialis. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60, 1879–1889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.07.019.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kljaković-Gašpić, Z., Herceg Romanić, S., Klinčić, D., & Tičina, V. (2015). Chlorinated compounds in the muscle tissue of fish from the Croatian Adriatic: Preliminary data on contamination and the associated health risks. Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju, 66(4), 299–308. https://doi.org/10.1515/aiht-2015-66-2667.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lah, B., Žinko, B., Narat, M., & Marinšek-Logar, R. (2005). Monitoring of genotoxicity in drinking water using in vitro comet assay and Ames test. Food Technology and Biotechnology, 43(2), 139–146.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Lapuente, J., Lourenço, J., Mendo, S. A., Borràs, M., Martins, M. G., Costa, P. M., & Pacheco, M. (2015). The comet assay and its applications in the field of ecotoxicology: A mature tool that continues to expand its perspectives. Frontiers in Genetics, 6, 180. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2015.00180.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazar, B., Maslov, L., Herceg Romanić, S., Gračan, R., Krauthacker, B., Holcer, D., & Tvrtković, N. (2011). Accumulation of organochlorine contaminants in loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta, from the eastern Adriatic Sea. Chemosphere, 82(1), 121–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.09.015.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marín, A. I., & Andreo, B. (2015). Vulnerability to contamination of karst aquifers. In Z. Stevanović (Ed.), Karst aquifiers - characterization and engineering (pp. 251–266). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marović, G. (2006-2014). Results of environmental radioactivity measurements in the Republic of Croatia. Annual Reports 2005–2013. Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia (in Croatian).

  • Marović, G., Avdić, M., Babić, D., Bituh, T., Branica, G., & Franić, Z. (2015). Report on monitoring the radioactivity in Croatian environment—Annual report for 2014. Zagreb, Croatia (in Croatian).

  • Mazet, A., Keck, G., & Berny, P. (2005). Concentrations of PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and copper) in fish from the Drôme river: Potential effects on otters (Lutra lutra). Chemosphere, 61(6), 810–816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.04.056.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merciai, R., Guasch, H., Kumar, A., Sabater, S., & García-Berthou, E. (2014). Trace metal concentration and fish size: Variation among fish species in a Mediterranean river. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 107, 154–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2014.05.006.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikac, I., Fiket, Z., Terzić, S., Barešić, J., Mikac, N., & Ahel, M. (2011). Chemical indicators of anthropogenic impacts in sediments of the pristine karst lakes. Chemosphere, 84(8), 1140–1149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.04.027.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchelmore, C. L., & Chipman, J. K. (1998). DNA strand breakage in aquatic organisms and the potential value of the comet assay in environmental monitoring. Mutation Research, 399(2), 135–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0027-5107(97)00252-2.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mortuza, M. G., & Al-Misned, F. A. (2015). Trace elements and heavy metals in five cultured and captured fishes from Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. Biomedical Sciences Today, 1, 1–9 http://www.mdtcanada.ca/bmst/v1/e2.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muir, D. C. G., Wagemann, R., Hargrave, B. T., Thomas, D. J., Peakall, D. B., & Norstrom, R. J. (1992). Arctic marine ecosystem contamination. The Science of the Total Environment, 122, 75–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(92)90246-O.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muir, D., Wang, X., Bright, D., Lockhart, L., & Köck, G. (2005). Spatial and temporal trends of mercury and other metals in landlocked char from lakes in the Canadian Arctic archipelago. The Science of the Total Environment, 351–352, 464–478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.07.036.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolaou, A., Golfinopoulos, S. K., Kostopoulou, M. N., Kolokythas, G. A., & Lekkas, T. D. (2002). Determination of volatile organic compounds in surface waters and treated wastewater in Greece. Water Research, 36(11), 2883–2890. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00497-3.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2016). OECD guideline for the testing of chemicals. In vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test. OECD Test Guideline 487. Available at: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/iccvam/suppdocs/feddocs/oecd/oecd-tg487-2014-508.pdf. doi: https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264264861-en.

  • OG (Official Gazette) (2012). Regulation on the maximum levels of certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Official Gazette No. 146, 3162 (in Croatian). http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/

  • Pacini, N., Abate, V., Brambilla, G., De Felip, E., De Filippis, S. P., De Luca, S., di Domenico, A., D’Orsi, A., Forte, T., Fulgenzi, A. R., Iacovella, N., Luiselli, L., Miniero, R., & Iamiceli, A. L. (2013). Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in fresh water fish from Campania Region, southern Italy. Chemosphere, 90(1), 80–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2012.07.039.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, J. G., & Curtis, L. R. (1997). Mercury distribution in sediments and bioaccumulation by fish in two Oregon reservoirs: Point-source and nonpoint-source impacted systems. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 33(4), 423–429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002449900272.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perugini, M., Cavaliere, M., Giammarino, A., Mazzone, P., Olivieri, V., & Amorena, M. (2004). Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in some edible marine organisms from the Central Adriatic Sea. Chemosphere, 57(5), 391–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.04.034.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petrinec, B., Franić, Z., Ilijanić, N., Miko, S., Štrok, M., & Smodiš, B. (2012). Estimation of sedimentation rate in the Middle and South Adriatic Sea using 137Cs. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 151(1), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncr449.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. J. H., & Rainbow, P. S. (1993). Biomonitoring of trace aquatic contaminants. Oxford: Elsevier Science Publishers LTD..

    Google Scholar 

  • PLNP (2017). Plitvice lakes National Park official website. http://www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/en/natural-and-cultural-heritage/tufa/. Accessed 19 January 2017.

  • Privezenstev, K., Sirota, N., & Gaziev, A. (1996). The genotoxic effects of cadmium studied in vivo. Tsitologiia i Genetika, 30, 45–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qin, D., Jiang, H., Bai, S., Tang, S., & Mou, Z. (2015). Determination of 28 trace elements in three farmed cyprinid fish species from Northeast China. Food Control, 50, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.08.016.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rakočević, J., Suković, D., & Marić, D. (2018). Distribution and relationships of eleven trace elements in muscle of six fish species from Skadar Lake (Montenegro). Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 18(5), 647–657. https://doi.org/10.4194/1303-2712-v18_5_01.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randak, T., Zlabek, V., Pulkrabova, J., Kolarova, J., Kroupova, H., Siroka, Z., Velisek, J., Svobodova, Z., & Hajslova, J. (2009). Effects of pollution on chub in the River Elbe, Czech Republic. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 72(3), 737–746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2008.09.020.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riđanović, J. (1976). Hidrogeografske značajke Nacionalnog parka Plitvička jezera. Hrvatski Geografski Glasnik, 38(1), 246–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar, A., Ray, D., Shrivastava, A. N., & Sarker, S. (2006). Molecular biomarkers: Their significance and application in marine pollution monitoring. Ecotoxicology, 15(4), 333–340. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-006-0069-1.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schenone, N. F., Avigliano, E., Goessler, W., & Fernández Cirelli, A. (2014). Toxic metals, trace and major elements determined by ICPMS in tissues of Parapimelodus valenciennis and Prochilodus lineatus from Chascomus Lake, Argentina. Microchemical Journal, 112, 127–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2013.09.025.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sigma-Aldrich (2017). Product Information Histopaque®-1077. www.sigmaaldrich.com/content/dam/sigma-aldrich/docs/Sigma/Product_Information_Sheet/1/10771pis.pdf. Accessed 27 December 2017.

  • Šikić, Z. (Ed.) (2007). Plitvice Lakes National Park Management Plan. Zagreb: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia http://www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/files/file/NpPlitvice-management-plan.pdf. Accessed 1 January 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, N. P., McCoy, M. T., Tice, R. R., & Schneider, E. L. (1988). A simple technique for quantitation of low levels of DNA damage in individual cells. Experimental Cell Research, 175(1), 184–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4827(88)90265-0.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Squadrone, S., Mignone, W., Abete, M. C., Favaro, L., Scanzio, T., Foglini, C., Vivaldi, B., & Prearo, M. (2015). Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) in eel, trout, and barbel from the River Roya, Northern Italy. Food Chemistry, 175, 10–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.11.107.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srdoč, D., Obelić, B., Horvatinčić, N., Krajcar-Bronić, I., Marčenko, E., Merkt, J., Wong, H. K., & Sliepčević, A. (1986). Radiocarbon dating of lake sediments from two karst lakes in Yugoslavia. Radiocarbon, 28(2A), 495–502.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srdoč, D., Horvatinčić, N., Ahel, M., Giger, W., Schaffner, C., Krajcar Bronić, I., Petricioli, D., Pezdič, J., Marčenko, E., & Plenković-Moraj, A. (1992). Anthropogenic influence on the 14C activity and other constituents of recent lake sediments: A case study. Radiocarbon, 34(3), 585–592 http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0027037423&partnerID=tZOtx3y1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Srdoč, D., Osmond, J. K., Horvatinčić, N., Dabous, A. A., & Obelić, B. (1994). Radiocarbon and uranium-series dating of the Plitvice Lakes travertines. Radiocarbon, 36(2), 203–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sremac, J., Božičević, S., & Marković, I. (2012). Plitvice Lakes National Park (Central Croatia) - more than 50 years of continuous monitoring of natural and human influence. European Geologyst, 34, 12–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stancheva, M., Georgieva, S., & Makedonski, L. (2013). Persistent organic pollutants - PCBs and DDTs in fish from Danube river and from Black Sea, Bulgaria. In CBU International Conference Proceedings. Inernational Conference on Integration and Innovation in Science and Education, April 7-14, 2013 (Vol. Vol. 1, pp. 354–361). Czech Republic: Prague. https://doi.org/10.12955/cbup.2013.57.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Stevanović, Z. (2015). Karst environment and phenomena. In Z. Stevanović (Ed.), Karst aquifiers - characterization and engineering (pp. 19–46). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG.

    Google Scholar 

  • Storelli, M. M., Giacominelli-Stuffler, R., Storelli, A., & Marcotrigiano, G. O. (2003). Polychlorinated biphenyls in seafood: Contamination levels and human dietary exposure. Food Chemistry, 82(3), 491–496. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(03)00119-5.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terzić, S., Mikac, N., Roje, V., & Dautović, J. (2008). Chemical indicators of anthropogenic impacts on the Plitvice Lakes (Croatia)—Lessons for lake conservation and environmental management. Proceedings of the 12th World Lake Conference (Taal 2007), 844–850. http://wldb.ilec.or.jp/data/ilec/wlc12/F—Eutrophication and its control/F-8.pdf. Accessed 13 February 2015.

  • Thomas, M., Lazartigues, A., Banas, D., Brun-Bellut, J., & Feidt, C. (2012). Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments and fish from freshwater cultured fish ponds in different agricultural contexts in north-eastern France. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 77, 35–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2011.10.018.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tice, R. R., Agurell, E., Anderson, D., Burlinson, B., Hartmann, A., Kobayashi, H., et al. (2000). Single cell gel/comet assay: Guidelines for in vitro and in vivo genetic toxicology testing. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 35(3), 206–221. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1098-2280(2000)35:3<206.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (2013). Global mercury assessment 2013: sources, emissions, releases and environmental transport. Geneva, Switzerland: UNEP Chemicals Branch http://www.unep.org/hazardoussubstances/Mercury/Informationmaterials/ReportsandPublications/tabid/3593/Default.aspx%0AUNEP. Accessed 1 January 2017.

  • US EPA (2006a). EPA Region III BTAG freshwater screening benchmarks. http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/r3_btag_fw_benchmarks_07-06.pdf. Accessed 1 January 2016.

  • US EPA (2006b). EPA Region III BTAG freshwater sediment screening benchmarks. http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/r3_btag_fw_sediment_benchmarks_8-06.pdf

  • Van den Berg, M., Birnbaum, L., Bosveld, A., Brunström, B., Cook, P., Feely, M., et al. (1998). Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for PCBs, PCDDs, PCDFs for humans and wildlife. Environmental Health Perspectives, 106(12), 775–792 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1533232/.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van den Berg, M., Birnbaum, L. S., Denison, M., De Vito, M., Farland, W., Feeley, M., et al. (2006). The 2005 World Health Organization reevaluation of human and mammalian toxic equivalency factors for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Toxicological Sciences, 93(2), 223–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfl055.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vukosav, P., Mlakar, M., Cukrov, N., Kwokal, Ž., Pižeta, I., Pavlus, N., Špoljarić, I., Vurnek, M., Brozinčević, A., & Omanović, D. (2014). Heavy metal contents in water, sediment and fish in a karst aquatic ecosystem of the Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia). Environmental Sience and Pollution Research, 21(5), 3826–3839. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-2377-3.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, R., Yao, T., Xu, B., Jiang, G., & Xin, X. (2007). Accumulation features of organochlorine pesticides and heavy metals in fish from high mountain lakes and Lhasa River in the Tibetan Plateau. Environment International, 33(2), 151–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2006.08.008.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zacs, D., Bartkevics, V., & Viksna, A. (2013). Content of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in fish from Latvian lakes. Chemosphere, 91(2), 179–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.12.041.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

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.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  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

Authors
  1. Zorana Kljaković-Gašpić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Snježana Herceg Romanić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tomislav Bituh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Vilena Kašuba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Irena Brčić Karačonji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Nataša Brajenović
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Iva Franulović
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Jasna Jurasović
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Darija Klinčić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Nevenka Kopjar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. Gordana Marović
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. Mirta Milić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. Tatjana Orct
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  14. Ankica Sekovanić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  15. Davor Želježić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Snježana Herceg Romanić.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 67 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

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

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-7028-1

Keywords

  • Metal(loid)s
  • Persistent organic pollutants
  • Radionuclides
  • BTEX
  • DNA damage