Biochemical analysis of organisms to assess exposure to environmental contaminants is of great potential use. Biochemical markers, specifically liver enzymes of the first and the second phase of xenobiotic transformation - cytochrome P450 (CYP 450), ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and tripeptide reduced glutathione (GSH) - were used to assess contamination of the aquatic environment at 12 locations near the mouths of major rivers in the Czech Republic. These rivers were the Lužnice, Otava, Sázava, Berounka, Vltava, Labe, Ohře, Svratka, Dyje, Morava and Odra. The indicator species selected was the Chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.). The highest levels of CYP 450 and EROD catalytic activity were found in livers of fish from the Labe (Obříství) (0.32±0.10 nmol mg-1 protein and 1061.38±545.51 pmol min-1 mg-1 protein, respectively). The highest levels of GST catalytic activity and GSH content were found in fish from the Otava (35.39±13.35 nmol min-1 mg-1 protein and 4.29±2.10 nmol GSH mg-1 protein, respectively). They were compared with levels of specific inductors of these biochemical markers in muscle. The results confirmed contamination of some river locations (Labe Obříství, Svratka).

Czech Hydrometeorological Institute Na Sabatce 17 143 06 Praha 4 Czech Republic

Institute of Public Health Ostrava Partyzanske nam 7 702 00 Ostrava Czech Republic

Palacky University Olomouc Faculty of Law Department of Financial Law and Economics Tr 17 listopadu 8 771 00 Olomouc Czech Republic

University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology Vodnany Zatisi 728 2 389 25 Vodnany Czech Republic

University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology Palackeho 1 3 612 42 Brno Czech Republic

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