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A field study of physiological effects on fish in lead‐contaminated lakes
Author(s) -
Haux Carl,
Sjöbeck MajLis,
Larsson Åke,
Lithner Göran
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620050307
Subject(s) - contamination , fish <actinopterygii> , environmental chemistry , environmental science , pollution , lead (geology) , lead exposure , lead pollution , dehydratase , biology , chemistry , ecology , fishery , biochemistry , enzyme , paleontology , electrical engineering , engineering , latency (audio)
In a field investigation, physiological parameters were studied in whitefish ( Coregonus spp.) living in lead‐contaminated lakes in northern Sweden. Fish from an uncontaminated lake were used as a reference. The activity of the enzyme δ‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in blood was inhibited up to 88% in fish from lead‐contaminated lakes, as compared with fish from the reference lake, indicating the presence of lead pollution. In addition, higher blood glucose levels and lower plasma sodium content were observed in fish from lead‐contaminated lakes. These results suggest that lead affects fish in the environment in a way similar to that observed in laboratory experiments.