Water Quality Estimation Based on Histological Investigations
of Fish: Case Study of Kenozero Lake

A. A. Lukin and Yu. N. Sharova

Institute of Water Problems of the North, Karelian Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences,
pr. A. Nevskogo 50, Petrozavodsk, 185003 Russia

Received September 30, 2002

Abstract—Specific hydrological and hydrochemical conditions in Kenozero Lake have led to changes in the
morphology of fishes at a cellular level. The abnormalities in the function of the respiratory, digestive, and
excretory systems were recorded. The degree of pathology depended on the ecological features of the fish. The
pathological changes were most pronounced in the gills of the fish species (orfe, perch, and roach) characterized
by active mode of life and sensible to oxygen deficiency. The changes in the epithelium of gill filaments had a
compensatory significance and were aimed at increasing the area of the functional surface of the gills under the
conditions of hypoxia.

Pleiades Publishing home page | journal home page | top

If you have any problems with this server, contact webmaster.