Mountain environments and in particular high-mountain lakes are perceived to be among the most natural and esthetically attractive areas in Europe leading to a general concern for their protection. Alpine lakes are remote and extreme ecosystems undergoing harsh climatic conditions and are characterized by low resilience to disturbances. Oligotrophic conditions, UV radiation intensity, extreme temperatures allow the dwelling of a few dominant but well-adapted species. Global and local anthropogenic pressures, such as pollutants from lowland emission sources, climate change, tourism and mountain farming may threat primeval condition disturbing the physiology of organisms inhabiting the mountain lakes. Metals and microplastics are ro-oxidants exerting oxidative stress via ROS boost hence triggering critical changes in cellular detoxification pathways. Herein we quantify the degree of anthropogenic impact in two high-mountain lakes, Balma (Cottian Alps) and Dimon (Carnic Alps), of northwest Italy during the ice-free season lasting only for few months, from mid-June to late October. Occurrence of microplastic and trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Ni, Se, and Zn) were investigated in tissues of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, Balma Lake) and bullhead (Cottus gobio, Dimon Lake). Oxidative stress biomarkers (e.g. metallothionein, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase) were assessed for the same tissues. The findings highlighted MPs contamination in Balma Lake, whereas metals bioaccumulation was almost similar for both fish species and lakes. Chemical-physical parameters of water and certain metals influenced changes in levels of oxidative stress biomarker in the analysed tissues. Oxidative stress biomarkers along with contaminants bioaccumulation may be informative tools in assessing health of fish species and mountain lakes. Thereby these findings may contribute to an awareness of the extent and potential severity of chemical contamination in extreme ecosystems like mountain lakes.
Ecological assessment and contaminants input in high-mountain lakes from Alps
Renzi M.;Pizzul E.;Bertoli M.;
2023-01-01
Abstract
Mountain environments and in particular high-mountain lakes are perceived to be among the most natural and esthetically attractive areas in Europe leading to a general concern for their protection. Alpine lakes are remote and extreme ecosystems undergoing harsh climatic conditions and are characterized by low resilience to disturbances. Oligotrophic conditions, UV radiation intensity, extreme temperatures allow the dwelling of a few dominant but well-adapted species. Global and local anthropogenic pressures, such as pollutants from lowland emission sources, climate change, tourism and mountain farming may threat primeval condition disturbing the physiology of organisms inhabiting the mountain lakes. Metals and microplastics are ro-oxidants exerting oxidative stress via ROS boost hence triggering critical changes in cellular detoxification pathways. Herein we quantify the degree of anthropogenic impact in two high-mountain lakes, Balma (Cottian Alps) and Dimon (Carnic Alps), of northwest Italy during the ice-free season lasting only for few months, from mid-June to late October. Occurrence of microplastic and trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Ni, Se, and Zn) were investigated in tissues of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, Balma Lake) and bullhead (Cottus gobio, Dimon Lake). Oxidative stress biomarkers (e.g. metallothionein, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase) were assessed for the same tissues. The findings highlighted MPs contamination in Balma Lake, whereas metals bioaccumulation was almost similar for both fish species and lakes. Chemical-physical parameters of water and certain metals influenced changes in levels of oxidative stress biomarker in the analysed tissues. Oxidative stress biomarkers along with contaminants bioaccumulation may be informative tools in assessing health of fish species and mountain lakes. Thereby these findings may contribute to an awareness of the extent and potential severity of chemical contamination in extreme ecosystems like mountain lakes.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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