Author(s): EE Azi, PA Anunne and RA Obande

Abstract: Discharge of heavy metals into aquatic environment from various sources above tolerable limits, cause harmful effects in aquatic organisms. The presence of these pollutants in water bodies coupled with their tendency to accumulate in organisms ultimately produce toxic reactions in aquatic biota, especially fish. The present study was carried out to evaluate sub-lethal effects of cadmium chloride on the juveniles of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus. Haematological changes were observed; the Hb, RBC and HCT were significantly low as a result of the effects of the pollutant (cadmium chloride) in water. It was observed that in the highest concentration the RBC declined more than the remaining treatments with lower concentration. Exposed fish showed a significant increase in WBC count compared to the control. Hence, the indiscriminate disposal of substances containing heavy metals should be discouraged to prevent possible entering into the aquatic environments.

Pages: 280-284  |  698 Views  83 Downloads

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