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Fish as an Environmental Quality and Human Health Bioindicator

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 20884

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Joanna Łuczyńska

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Food Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Plac Cieszyński 1, 10726 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: bioaccumulation; biomarkers; environmental health indicators; freshwater fish; marine fish; food safety; heavy metals in food; trace elements; fatty acids; macroelements; microelements; lipid quality indices; risk assessment; public health
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Dr. Monika Kowalska-Góralska

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Limnology and Fishery, Institute of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: bioaccumulation; water quality; heavy metals in food chain; environmental pollution; toxicology; nanotoxicology; freshwater fish treatment
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Prof. Dr. Dariusz Kucharczyk

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Ichthyology and Aquaculture, Warmia and Mazury University in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: fish biology; fish reproduction; fish physiology; conservation biology; fish biodiversity
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Dr. Marek Jan Łuczyński

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Assistant Guest Editor

Department of Ichthyology, Hydrobiology and Ecology of Waters, The Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute in Olsztyn, ul. M. Oczapowskiego 10, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Interests: heavy metals; biomarkers; food safety; fish feeding; larviculture; genome manipulation; fatty acids; RAS
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

Fish are one of the main sources of easily digestible protein and fatty acids for humans. For this reason, the catches from the wild and aquaculture production increase from year to year. The health-promoting features of aquaculture products as functional foods improve the health and quality of life of their consumers. Fish, used as a source of food for humans, contain a number of important nutrients that affect the proper functioning of the body. Among them, fatty acids deserve special attention. Based on the determination of lipid quality indices such as the atherogenic index (AI), thrombogenicity index (TI), flesh-lipid quality (FLQ), hypercholesterolaemic (OFA), and hypocholesterolaemic fatty acids (DFA), it can be determined whether fatty acids having an undesirable or desirable dietary effect on humans are predominant in fish. However, fish live in an aquatic environment that is significantly different from the terrestrial one. Heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and many other pollutants can accumulate in the water and later in fish tissues. Especially, top predators and long-life species might accumulate many of them. Fish, occupying different trophic levels in aquatic ecosystems, are often used as bioindicators describing the state of the environment qualitatively (bioindication) or quantitatively (biomonitoring). A number of parameters, such as the hepatosomatic index (HSI), gonadosomatic index (GSI), and condition factor (FCF), can be good indicators of water quality and food contamination.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the current state of knowledge on the links between fish quality, environmental status, and human health. New research papers, reviews, case reports, and conference papers are welcome to this issue.

Here are some examples of topics that could be addressed in this Special Issue:

Indices of fish quality;
Different toxicants in fish tissue and organs, including:
Heavy metals, e.g., mercury, cadmium, copper, lead, arsenic, etc., in aquatic organisms;
Organic contaminants;
Microplastics;
Human health risk assessment;
Bacterial, viruses, parasitic diseases of aquatic organisms;
Nanotoxicology;
Fish as a bioindicators of environment status;
Aquaculture systems and their impact on the environment;
Application of drugs in aquaculture and their impact on environmental and human health.

Dr. Joanna Łuczyńska
Dr. Monika Kowalska-Góralska
Prof. Dariusz Kucharczyk
Dr. Marek Jan Łuczyński
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Water quality
Heavy metals
Environmental pollution
Bioaccumulation
Biomarkers
Nanotoxicology
Risk assessment
Public health
Food safety
Quality indices

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development and Molecular Investigation into the Effects of Carbamazepine Exposure in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

by Huihui Chen, Huiting Yang, Yanyan Zhao, Xiaohong Gu and Christopher J. Martyniuk

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(23), 8882; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238882 - 29 Nov 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3207

Abstract

Concerns regarding environmental exposures and the impacts of pharmaceuticals on non-target aquatic organisms continue to increase. The antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) is often detected as an aquatic contaminant and can disrupt various behaviors of fishes. However, there are few reports which investigate the mechanism of CBZ action in fish. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of CBZ on embryonic development (i.e., hatching rate, heart rate, and body length) and early spontaneous movement. Moreover, we sought to investigate potential mechanisms by focusing on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter system in zebrafish 6 days after of exposure. The results show that CBZ exposure did not cause significant effects on embryo development (hatching rate, heart rate, nor body length) at the test concentrations. However, the early spontaneous movement of embryos was inhibited following 10 μg/L CBZ exposure at 28–29 h post-fertilization (hpf). In addition, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and GABA concentrations were increased with exposure, whereas glutamate (Glu) concentrations were decreased in larval zebrafish. Gene expression analysis revealed that GABA and glutamate metabolic pathways in zebrafish larvae were altered following exposure to CBZ. GABA transaminase (abat) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (gad1b) decreased to 100 µg/L, and glutamate receptor, ionotropic, N-methyl D-aspartate 1b (grin1b) as well as the glutamate receptor, ionotropic, α-amino-3hydroxy-5methylisoxazole-4propionic 2b (gria2b) were down-regulated with exposure to 1 µg/L CBZ. Our study suggests that CBZ, which can act as an agonist of the GABA_A receptor in humans, can also induce alterations in the GABAergic system in fish. Overall, this study improves understanding of the neurotoxicity and behavioral toxicity of zebrafish exposed to CBZ and generates data to be used to understand mechanisms of action that may underlie antiepileptic drug exposures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish as an Environmental Quality and Human Health Bioindicator)

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15 pages, 2446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Rutilus rutilus (L.) and Perca fluviatilis (L.) as Bioindicators of the Environmental Condition and Human Health: Lake Łańskie, Poland

by Joanna Łuczyńska, Beata Paszczyk, Marek Jan Łuczyński, Monika Kowalska-Góralska, Joanna Nowosad and Dariusz Kucharczyk

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(20), 7595; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17207595 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 6916

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the mercury content and fatty acids profile in roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) and European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) from Lake Łańskie (Poland). Mercury content was higher in the muscles than other organs in both species (p < 0.05). Mercury accumulates along the food chain of the lake’s ecosystem. The value of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) indicated that Hg had accumulated in the highest amounts in muscles and in the other organs as follows: muscles > liver > gills > gonads. The metal pollution index (MPI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) were below 1, which means that these fish are safe for consumers. The values of HIS, GSI and FCF indicators show that both species of fish can be good indicators of water quality and food contamination. There were few differences between fatty acid content in the muscles of perch and roach. Contents of fatty acids having an undesirable dietary effect in humans (OFA—hypercholesterolemic fatty acids) were lower compared to hypocholesterolemic fatty acids (DFA, i.e., the desirable ones). In addition, the lipid quality indices AI and TI in the muscles of fish were at 0.40 and 0.22 (perch) and at 0.35 and 0.22 (roach), respectively. On this basis, it can be concluded that the flesh of the fish studied is beneficial from the health point of view. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish as an Environmental Quality and Human Health Bioindicator)

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16 pages, 1507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of the Ionic and Nanoparticle Forms of Cu and Ag on These Metals’ Bioaccumulation in the Eggs and Fry of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss W.)

by Monika Kowalska-Góralska, Magdalena Senze, Joanna Łuczyńska and Katarzyna Czyż

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(17), 6392; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17176392 - 2 Sep 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1920

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field of science, and an increasing number of nanoproducts, including nanometals, can be found on the market. Various nanometals and the products that are manufactured based on them can help to fight bacteria and fungi, but they can also penetrate organisms and accumulate in them. This study aimed to compare the effects of two metals, silver (Ag) and copper (Cu), with known antibacterial and fungicidal properties in their ionic (AgNO₃, CuSO₄·5H₂O) and nanoparticle (AgNPs, CuNPs) forms on rainbow trout eggs and fry. Concentrations of metals ranging from 0 to 16 mg/L were used during egg swelling for 2 h. The swelling of eggs in Cu solutions resulted in an increase in Cu content in the eggs (just like in the case of Ag); however, the changes in fry were not significant in the case of both Ag and Cu. The concentrations of these metals in eggs was greatly affected by the applied form of Ag and Cu. Because CuNPs penetrated the embryo in fish eggs at lower concentrations compared to AgNPs, it would be worth considering them for antibacterial applications during egg incubation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish as an Environmental Quality and Human Health Bioindicator)

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14 pages, 878 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutritional Value and Contaminant Risk Assessment of Some Commercially Important Fishes and Crawfish of Lake Trasimeno, Italy

by Raffaella Branciari, Raffaella Franceschini, Rossana Roila, Andrea Valiani, Ivan Pecorelli, Arianna Piersanti, Naceur Haouet, Marisa Framboas and David Ranucci

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(7), 2545; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072545 - 8 Apr 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2418

Abstract

The aim of our study was to describe the balance between health benefits and risks associated with the consumption of crawfish and nine fish species from lake Trasimeno. We thus determined both fatty acid profiles (particularly, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids) and chemical pollutants (some polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, and heavy metals) in fish muscle tissues. The contents of all fatty acids varied significantly among species. Sand smelt, carp, and tench, which have a high fat content, contained considerable amounts of EPA and DHA; lean fish, like perch, pike, and largemouth bass, which have relatively high percentages of the predominant n-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, showed lower amounts of these fatty acids because of their low lipid contents. Some species contributed strongly to the Dietary Reference Intake (RDI) of EPA and DHA. The contribution of lean fish to the RDI of EPA and DHA was more limited. The concentrations of all contaminants in fish muscle tissues were lower than the regulatory limits, demonstrating the safety of the environmental conditions of the lake. The contribution to health-based reference values and benefit–risk quotients indicated that the health benefits of consumption of fish from lake Trasimeno outweigh the potential risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish as an Environmental Quality and Human Health Bioindicator)

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16 pages, 2291 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Health Risk Assessment of Metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, Hg, Se) in Angling Fish with Different Lengths Collected from Liuzhou, China

by Jun Li, Xiongyi Miao, Yupei Hao, Zhouqing Xie, Shengzheng Zou and Changsong Zhou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(7), 2192; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072192 - 25 Mar 2020

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 2965

Abstract

Wild fish caught by anglers (WFAs) were confirmed to be usually contaminated with metals, and the contamination status is radically affected by the growth and length of the fish. To determine the contamination levels of metals and health risks in WFAs with different length ranges of fish, this study ascertained the concentration of eight metals, including Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, Hg and Se, in 171 wild fishes collected from the watershed of Liujiang River. The assessment of metal pollution and health risks from the consumption of these fishes with seven length ranges were accomplished. The obtained results implied a relatively high concentration of Zn, Cr, and Cd up to 109.294 mg/kg, 4.226 mg/kg, and 0.196 mg/kg (wet weight), respectively, which exceed the corresponding Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). The negative correlation between Cu, Zn, Cr, and Cd was observed to be significant with fish length, signifying a possible occurrence of biological dilution on these metals. The WFAs were mostly contaminated with Cr and Cd irrespective of the length ranges of fish, which were denoted by the average pollution index (Pi) of Cr and Cd and were commonly found to be beyond 0.2. Based on the results of health risk assessment analysis, most of the target hazard quotient (THQ) values of Cr were below 1, implying that the consumption of wild fish for adults has insignificant health risk. For children, the total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) values of beyond 1 were found in fishes with the length range of <25 cm, particularly a TTHQ value 1.627 in the range of 10–15 cm, indicating that children are being prone to serious health risks owing to the consumption of WFAs. The weekly recommended consumption of WFAs with the length range of 10–15 cm for adults and children was 0.298 kg/week and 0.149 kg/week, respectively. These are substantially lower than the current rate of fish consumption (0.42 kg/week), and therefore, the wild fish with the length range of 10–15 cm should be avoided for consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish as an Environmental Quality and Human Health Bioindicator)

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9 pages, 1661 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cardiac and Locomotor Responses to Acute Stress in Signal Crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus Exposed to Methamphetamine at an Environmentally Relevant Concentration

by Filip Ložek, Iryna Kuklina, Kateřina Grabicová, Jan Kubec, Miloš Buřič, Tomáš Randák, Petr Císař and Pavel Kozák

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(6), 2084; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17062084 - 21 Mar 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2156

Abstract

Methamphetamine (METH), a central nervous system stimulant used as a recreational drug, is frequently found in surface waters at potentially harmful concentrations. To determine effects of long-term exposure to environmentally relevant levels on nontarget organisms, we analysed cardiac and locomotor responses of signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus to acute stress during a 21-day exposure to METH at 1 μg L⁻¹ followed by 14 days depuration. Heart rate and locomotion were recorded over a period of 30 min before and 30 min after exposure to haemolymph of an injured conspecific four times during METH exposure and four times during the depuration phase. Methamphetamine-exposed crayfish showed a weaker cardiac response to stress than was observed in controls during both exposure and depuration phases. Similarly, methamphetamine-exposed crayfish, during METH exposure, showed lower locomotor reaction poststressor application in contrast to controls. Results indicate biological alterations in crayfish exposed to METH at low concentration level, potentially resulting in a shift in interactions among organisms in natural environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish as an Environmental Quality and Human Health Bioindicator)

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