Ecosystem Transformation (), 24-43

Spatial variability of mercury content in bottom sediments and muscles of bream Abramis brama L., 1758 from the Rybinsk Reservoir (Volga River, Russia)

Lozhkina R.A. , Gremyachikh V.A., Udodenko Yu. G.  , Antipov I.A., Zakonnov V.V., Sigareva L.E., Timofeeva N.A., Pavlov D.D.  , Shlyapkin I.V., Komov V.T.  

The results of a study on mercury content in bottom sediments (BS) and muscles of bream (Abramis brama L., 1758) from four reaches of the Rybinsk reservoir, which differ in hydrological regime, hydrochemical conditions, and biological community structure, are presented. The spatial distribution pattern of Hg in the bottom sediments of the Rybinsk reservoir has remained stable for a long time. The maximum Hg content values in bottom sediments were recorded in the Sheksna reach, and the minimum – in the Mologa reach. The lowest metal concentrations in bream were found in fish caught in the Main and Sheksna reaches, while the highest were in bream from the Mologa reach. Significant differences in Hg content in muscles between different years of the study were revealed for bream from the Main and Sheksna reaches. No significant differences in Hg accumulation in the muscles of females and males were found, nor were significant correlations between Hg content in bream muscles and fish length, weight, sex, or age. A strong relationship was found between Hg concentration in bream muscles and in the reservoir's bottom sediments. In addition, a positive correlation was noted between Hg concentrations in bream muscles and chlorophyll concentration and the pigment index ratio E480/ E665 in BS, and a negative correlation with the proportion of organic matter. In the studied sample, Hg content in bream muscles and BS did not significantly depend on sediment particle size, water color, transparency, or flow velocity. Hg content in the reservoir's BS was positively correlated with chlorophyll concentration in water and negatively correlated with the concentration of sedimentary pigments in the sediment. Overall, the Hg content in BS and bream muscles falls within the range previously recorded for the Rybinsk reservoir by other authors and does not exceed established standards.

R. A. Lozhkina
I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, junior research scientist
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl’ Region, 152742 Russia

lozhkina.roza@yandex.ru

V. A. Gremyachikh
I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, senior research scientist
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl’ Region, 152742 Russia

PhD in Biology

Yu. G. Udodenko
Cherepovets State University
pr. Lunacharskogo 5, Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, 162600 Russia

I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl region, 152742 Russia

PhD in Biology, research scientist
udu@mail.ru

I. A. Antipov
Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences
Borok 109, Nekouzsky District, Yaroslavl Oblast, 152742 Russia

Yaroslavl State Agrarian University
Tutaevskoe Shosse St. 58, Yaroslavl, 150042 Russia


V. V. Zakonnov
Papanin Institute of Biology for Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl Oblast, 152742 Russia


L. E. Sigareva
Papanin Institute of Biology for Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl Oblast, 152742 Russia


N. A. Timofeeva
Papanin Institute of Biology for Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl Oblast, 152742 Russia


D. D. Pavlov
Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, leading research scientist
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl Region, 152742 Russia

PhD in Biology
tukki@bk.ru

I. V. Shlyapkin
Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences
Borok 109, Nekouzsky District, Yaroslavl Oblast, 152742 Russia


V. T. Komov
I.D. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, principal research scientist
Borok 109, Nekouz District, Yaroslavl Region, 152742 Russia

Cherepovets State University
Pr. Lunacharskogo 5, Cherepovets, Vologda Region, 162600

Doctor of Science in Biology, Professor
vkomov@ibiw.yaroslavl.ru

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