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International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies
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P-ISSN: 2394-0506, E-ISSN: 2347-5129

International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies

2020, Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part A

Toxic effects of an organophosphorus pesticide, malathion (50% EC) on the freshwater fish, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852)


Author(s): Fathima Shincy, Sreya Asok, Sreelakshmi T, Priyatha CV and Chitra KC

Abstract: Malathion is a wide spectrum aliphatic organophosphorus pesticide commonly used for agricultural purposes. In the present study, an attempt was made to study the acute toxic effects of malathion in the adult freshwater fish, Oreochromis mossambicus. The median lethal concentration or LC50-96 h was determined by exposing the fish to seven different concentrations of malathion i.e., 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50 and 1.75 µg/ L concentrations for 96 h along with the control group, without toxicant. The weight of the animals was recorded before and after exposing to the pesticide, which showed no significant changes after the treatment period. Behavioural modifications of the fish such as frequent surfacing and air engulping, irregular erratic swimming, aggressiveness, rapid opercular lifting along with slight haemorrhage and mucous deposition throughout the body were noticed. The study proved that an increase in the malathion concentration for 96 h caused increase in the rate of mortality in which 50% mortality occurred at 0.5 µg/ L concentration, which was taken as the median lethal concentration or LC50-96 h. The data obtained was subjected to Probit analysis at 95% confidence limit also proved 0.5 µg/ L concentration as 96 h-LC50 value of malathion in the fish, O. mossambicus.

Pages: 57-60  |  617 Views  84 Downloads

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How to cite this article:
Fathima Shincy, Sreya Asok, Sreelakshmi T, Priyatha CV, Chitra KC. Toxic effects of an organophosphorus pesticide, malathion (50% EC) on the freshwater fish, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters, 1852). Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2020;8(2):57-60.
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