Multi-biomarker assessment of essential and toxic elements accumulation in Labeo gonius from Khushab Lake (Pakistan)

IF 4.2 3区环境科学与生态学 Q2 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental toxicology and pharmacology Pub Date : 2025-09-01 DOI:10.1016/j.etap.2025.104814

Muhammad Kashif Ashraf , Sana Ullah , Muhamamd Bilal , Cristiana Roberta Multisanti , Caterina Faggio

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Abstract

The continuous increase in the concentration of heavy metals in bodies of water due to human activity poses a serious threat to the sustainability and overall health of the ecosystem. This study investigated the essential and toxic elements bioaccumulation in various tissues (gills, muscles, liver, and brain) of the Minor carp (Labeo gonius) from two sampling sites of highly polluted Khushab Lake, a tributary of River Jhelum (in the Pakistan's Punjab province), along with a less exposed reference site (Chashma Lake-less polluted site). The impacts of pollution on the health profile of the fish were assessed using multiple biomarkers for analysis. The maximum accumulation of essential and toxic elements was reported in liver tissues, followed by gills. Copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) were the highest accumulated essential elements in liver and gills tissues, while magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) were the highest accumulated in muscles and brain tissues. Hematological and serum biochemical profile of L. gonius showed intense abnormalities at Khushab Lake as compared to reference site. Histopathological investigations indicated severe alterations in the liver tissues along with significant changes in other tissues. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed strong correlations among essential and toxic elements in various tissues of fish. The results revealed that aquatic life in Lake Khushab is at the greatest risk to its health. Therefore, mitigating measures should be adapted by key stakeholders including environmental protection agency (ensure disposal of pre-treated wastes and effluents) and fisheries department (limnological assessment and stocking of fish at regular intervals).

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巴基斯坦Khushab湖Labeo gonius体内必需和有毒元素积累的多生物标志物评价

由于人类活动，水体中重金属浓度不断增加，对生态系统的可持续性和整体健康构成严重威胁。本研究调查了来自高污染库沙布湖（Jhelum河的一条支流，位于巴基斯坦旁遮普省）的两个采样点以及污染较少的参考点（恰希玛湖污染较少的地点）的小鲤鱼（Labeo gonius）的各种组织（鳃、肌肉、肝脏和脑）中必需和有毒元素的生物积累。使用多种生物标志物进行分析，评估污染对鱼类健康状况的影响。据报道，必需和有毒元素的最大积累是在肝脏组织，其次是鳃。肝脏和鳃组织中铜（Cu）和铁（Fe）的积累量最高，肌肉和脑组织中镁（Mg）和钙（Ca）的积累量最高。与参考点相比，胡沙布湖地区的血吸虫血液学和血清生化特征显示出强烈的异常。组织病理学检查显示肝脏组织有严重改变，其他组织也有明显改变。主成分分析表明，鱼类各组织中必需元素和有毒元素之间存在较强的相关性。结果表明，胡沙布湖的水生生物健康风险最大。因此，包括环境保护机构（确保处置预处理废物和污水）和渔业部门（定期进行湖泊学评估和放养鱼类）在内的主要利益攸关方应调整缓解措施。

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来源期刊

Environmental toxicology and pharmacology 医学-毒理学

CiteScore

7.00

自引率

4.70%

发文量

185

审稿时长

34 days

期刊介绍： Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology publishes the results of studies concerning toxic and pharmacological effects of (human and veterinary) drugs and of environmental contaminants in animals and man. Areas of special interest are: molecular mechanisms of toxicity, biotransformation and toxicokinetics (including toxicokinetic modelling), molecular, biochemical and physiological mechanisms explaining differences in sensitivity between species and individuals, the characterisation of pathophysiological models and mechanisms involved in the development of effects and the identification of biological markers that can be used to study exposure and effects in man and animals. In addition to full length papers, short communications, full-length reviews and mini-reviews, Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology will publish in depth assessments of special problem areas. The latter publications may exceed the length of a full length paper three to fourfold. A basic requirement is that the assessments are made under the auspices of international groups of leading experts in the fields concerned. The information examined may either consist of data that were already published, or of new data that were obtained within the framework of collaborative research programmes. Provision is also made for the acceptance of minireviews on (classes of) compounds, toxicities or mechanisms, debating recent advances in rapidly developing fields that fall within the scope of the journal.