Author(s): Zabin SB, Kartheek RM and David M

Abstract: Pesticide application plays a crucial role in modern day agriculture. Leaching and mixing of chemicals from agricultural practices have a direct impact on the aquatic systems posing great threat to the aquatic life forms. Indiscriminate usage of new class insecticide fipronil (FPN) has been found to affect freshwater fish. The present work was aimed to elucidate the toxicity of FPN on freshwater fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. The acute toxicity was evaluated and 96 hr LC₅₀ was found to be 3.0 mg/L. Further, two sub-lethal concentrations (0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L) were selected for the assessment of behavioural toxicity and protein metabolism investigations. The duration of exposure selected for each sublethal concentration was 7 and 14 days. Changes in behavioural responses were noticed in fish exposed to FPN and found to affect the fish in dose and duration dependent pattern. Protein levels were estimated in terms of soluble, structural and total proteins and were found to significantly (p<0.05) decline with the increase in the days of exposure. Based on the outcome of the present study, it is inferred that FPN is highly toxic as it affects the behavioural aspect and protein biochemistry within the exposed fish. It is therefore suggested that care must be taken when FPN is used and disposed in the proximity of aquatic habitats.

Pages: 221-226  |  896 Views  139 Downloads

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