ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Evaluating Environmental Pollution by Applying
Oxidative Stress Biomarkers as Bioindicators
of Water Pollution in Fish
Morina Valon1, Aliko Valbona2, Gavazaj Fahri3, Maxhuni 4,
Kastrati Dhurat5, Cakaj Fatmir3
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1 Faculty of Geosciences and Technology, University of Prishtina, Mitrovice, Kosovo
2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tirana University, Tirana, Albania
3 University of Medical Sciences “Rezonance”, Prishtina, Kosovo
4 Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA)
5 Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Prishtine, Kosovo
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2013;22(5):1519-1523
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Antioxidant enzyme activities of fish (Cyprinus carpio L.) were determined in order to detect the effects
of pollution of the Sitnica River in Kosovo on fish physiology and biochemistry. Activities of three antioxi-
dant defense enzymes as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)
in the blood of fish were chosen as bioindicators. Fish (n=21) were sampled during March-May and August-
September 2010-12 from Ferizaj, Vragoli, and Plemetin (Sitnica River). Plasmatic CAT, SOD, and GST were
significantly higher (P<0.001) in fish from polluted Vragoli and Plementin sites than Ferizaj. Ferizaj is a source
of the river site, so is less contaminated than the two other sites. These three enzymes constitute a sensitive
biochemical bioindicator and can be used for detection of chemical pollution in fish. Based on results of our
research we can conclude that the Sitnica River is polluted mainly by industrial and urban discharge of liquid
waste products. As a consequence, legal actions need to be taken in order to prevent environmental pollution
on the site.