ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS AND HEAVY-METALS IN FISH OF THE UPPER OKA BASIN

The authors evaluated pollution with organochlorine compounds and heavy metals in the Upper Oka section of the river's basin. According to their ability to accumulate polychlorinated biphenyls, the organs of seven species of fish are arranged in the following order: muscles < brain < liver < gonads. Comparison of individual fish species showed that the most contaminated are the liver, muscles, and gonads of sabrefish, river perch, and white-eye. Heavy metals are distributed unevenly in fish organs, with their contents being higher in fish caught in the summer than in spring specimens. The use of fish for food is possible only after removing the head and internal organs.