Tissue samples from 1,117 fish of 25 species were collected from 1991 through 1996 at 13 locations along the River Elbe. The principal indicator species were perch (Perca fluviatilis) (n=118), chub (Leuciscus cephalus L.) (n=113) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) (n=138). Mercury (Hg) concentrations in muscle and liver were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The liver/muscle index in three indicator species from heavily contaminated and lightly contaminated localities were significantly different. In fish from heavily contaminated localities, Hg was deposited preferentially in the liver (the depository for inorganic and organic forms of Hg), while in lightly contaminated areas, it was deposited preferentially in muscle.

Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Science Institute of Biostatistics and Analyses Kamenice 126 3 625 00 Brno Czech Republic

Szczecin University Faculty of Natural Sciences Chair of Chemistry ul Felczaka 3A 71 412 Szczecin Poland

University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology 389 25 Vodňany Czech Republic

University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology Department of Public Health and Toxicology Palackého 1 3 612 42 Brno Czech Republic

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