HEAVY METALS IN ORGANS AND TISSUES OF STERLET (ACIPENSER RUTHENUS L.) IN THE DNIEPER-BUG ESTUARY

Purpose.To iInvestigate and analyze the peculiarities of the accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co, Ni and Mn) in the organs (muscles, gills, liver, kidneys, fins, intestine) and tissues of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758) for detecting the patterns of their accumulation and predicting the effect of their toxicological load on the organism of sturgeons as well as for evaluating the polymetallic load on this species in the Dnieper-Bug estuary. Methodology. The material for the research was represented by 3+ ? 4+ sterlet caught in the spring of 2016 in the Dnieper-Bug estuary. Organs and tissue samples were homogenized and then burned in a mixture of concentrated nitric (HNO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). The determination of heavy metals in organs and tissues of fish were performed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer AAS-3 and AAS-3N company "Carl Zeiss" (Jena, Germany). Findings. The distribution of heavy metals in organs and tissues of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L.) of the Dnieper-Bug estuary in the spring of 2016 was characterized by heterogeneity and depended on their physico-chemical properties and functional characteristics of organs and tissues of the investigated fish. The highest quantities copper, zinc and iron are accumulated liver, while manganese and cobalt in gills. Toxic metals (lead and cadmium) are more concentrated in gills, skin and liver. The maximum contents in the tissues and organs of sterlet were observed for iron and zinc, while the minimals ones ? for cadmium and cobalt. Originality. The paper describes the actual data on the contents and peculiarities of heavy metal accumulation in the body of sterlet inhabiting the Dnieper-Bug estuary. Practical value. The paper contains the newest information on the accumulation and content of heavy metals in organs and tissues of sterlet in the Dnieper-Bug estuary. The results of the work will be used for future comparative and biochemical studies of sterlet populations as well as serve as a basis for further monitoring of chemical contamination of water bodies in Ukraine.