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Hi, my name is Ondra Přibyl and I come from Brno, Czech Republic. I have been passionate about fishing for several years, which has also influenced my academic work. In my research, I focused on the analysis of heavy metals in rivers using fish scales as bioindicators. The project was carried out at Masaryk University in Brno, within the RECETOX research centre.
Tell us what the water concern in your country is!In the Czech Republic, one major water concern is the decreasing groundwater levels caused by climate change and prolonged droughts. Another issue is river pollution from agriculture and industry, which affects water quality and aquatic life.
This is what I think is one of the solutions for a sustainable future:One solution for a sustainable future is improving water monitoring through bioindicators like fish scales. This helps detect pollution early and supports better environmental decisions. Of course, this addresses only one of many challenges we face.
Toxic metals in rivers: Analysis of fish scales as indicators of pollution
My project focused on detecting heavy metal pollution in rivers using fish scales as an environmentally friendly sampling material. I collected chub scales from sites along the Jihlava and Oslava Rivers, both upstream and downstream of wastewater and mine water treatment plants. The scales were cleaned, digested, and analyzed using ICP-MS. I measured concentrations of lead, copper, and cadmium, and assessed how they vary with fish size and sampling location. The findings suggest that treatment plants may contribute to pollution. Fish scales proved to be a sensitive and non-lethal tool for monitoring heavy metal contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
