Accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd) in aquatic invertebrates from the hyperhaline Kuyalnyk estuary (Ukraine, North-Western Black Sea region)

doi:10.26565/1992-4259-2025-32-09

G. M. Shykhaleyeva Physical-Chemical Institute for Human Health and Environment Protection of Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University, 18, Preobrazhenska Str., Odesa, 65082, Ukraine http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1475-4415
G. M. Kiryushkina Physical-Chemical Institute for Human Health and Environment Protection of Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University, 18, Preobrazhenska Str., Odesa, 65082, Ukraine http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4445-9879

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/1992-4259-2025-32-09

Keywords: Kuyalnyk estuary, heavy metals, aquatic invertebrate organisms, concentration,, coefficient of biological absorption, bioindication

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate the content of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd) and the features of their migration and accumulation in the components (Artemia salina: biomass of individuals of and eggs (cysts), Chironomus salinarius larvae, water, bottom sediments) of the Kuyalnyk Estuary ecosystem.Methods. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry, hydrochemical, biological, automated analysis methods and static analyses.

Results. This is the first study of the accumulation of Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd in the biomass of gill crustaceans A. salina and larvae of Ch. salinarius, extracted from the hyperhaline Kuyalnyk estuary. It was determined that the average heavy metal content in the components of the aquatic environment is represented by the following regression series: Water: Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd ; Bottom sediments: Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd; Crustaceans and cysts of A. salina: Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd; Larvae of Ch. salinarius: Cr > Cu > Pb > Cd. Intensive accumulation of heavy metals in bottom sediments, crustaceans A. salina and larvae of Ch. salinarius compared to water is shown, which is confirmed by the coefficients of bottom accumulation and bioaccumulation. A. salina and larvae of chironomids Ch. salinarius are effective concentrators of the studied heavy metals, especially lead and chromium. It was found that A. salina accumulates Pb and Cd more intensively, while Ch. salinarius accumulates Cr the most.

Conclusions. Hydrobionts of the Kuyalnyk estuary (A. salina and Ch. salinarius) are informative bioindicators of chemical pollution of water bodies with heavy metals, with the effective transfer of these metals to the biota mainly from water. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in these organisms do not exceed the permissible levels for animal feed, which indicates their potential safety for use. The obtained data are important for the scientific and biological justification of the use of bioresources of the Kuyalnytskyi estuary and saline water bodies in general.

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Author Biographies

G. M. Shykhaleyeva , Physical-Chemical Institute for Human Health and Environment Protection of Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University, 18, Preobrazhenska Str., Odesa, 65082, Ukraine

PhD (Chemistry), Leading Researcher of the Environmental Monitoring Department

G. M. Kiryushkina , Physical-Chemical Institute for Human Health and Environment Protection of Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University, 18, Preobrazhenska Str., Odesa, 65082, Ukraine

Senior Researcher of the Environmental Monitoring Department

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