Trace elements in the food chain.

Erosion of the remaining tailings piles and flotation dumps of the abandoned Pb-Zn mine ofGyöngyösoroszi, Hungary contributed to the contamination of a small catchment basin and the Tokastream. To determine the impact of residual mining wastes, samples of stream sediment and fish werecollected in 2005. Elevated levels of Cd, As, Cr, Se, Ni, Pb, and Zn were found in bottom sediment andliver and kidney tissue of chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.) compared to samples from an uncontaminated,control site. As, Pb and Zn concentrations in particular were higher in sediment than in backgroundlevels. The results of the analysis provide valuable information regarding trace element bioaccumulationin fish and current levels of contamination in the vicinity of the abandoned mining site. The study alsoindicates that L. cephalus is a potential bioindicator of metal contamination in stream