Impact of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) on phosphatase activity in testis of the teleostean fish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Fishes are sensitive indicators of pollutants present in water.These pollutants cause various physical and physiological alterations in fishes. In the present work alteration in the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase was evaluated in testicular tissue of fresh water fish Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to LC50 value of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) for different exposure periods [24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h] With increase in the concentration of chemical LAS, the activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) was reported elevated while a significant fall in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ACP) was recorded for same exposure period. Elevated activity of ACP, one of the important hydrolases of lysosomes, is quite suggestive of bringing about gross necrosis and dysarchitecture. ALP is involved in various metabolic activities including gonadal maturation and as such decreased activity of this enzyme is definitely one of the important causative factors for reproductive impairment of the fish.     

A correlative study on liver glycogen and endosulfan toxicity in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.)

The biochemical tests were conducted to find out the relationship between liver glycogen and endosulfan toxicity on a catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.) using 0.00075, 0.00050 and 0.000375 ppm concentrations for 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of exposure periods. The quantity of liver glycogen showed decreasing trend as concentration of toxicant increased. The depletion in glycogen contents is greatly affiliated to cellular damage in hepatic cells.     

Physiological effects of the detergent linear alkylbenzene sulphonate on blue mussel larvae (Mytilus edulis) in laboratory and mesocosm experiments

A series of laboratory (short-term exposure in small beakers) studies and a 19 d mesocosm (6 m³ polyethylene bags filled with fjord water) study were conducted on blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, larvae and plantigrades exposed to a concentration gradient of the detergent linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS, 0 to 39 mg l⁻¹). LAS is increasingly found in nearshore environments receiving wastewater from urban treatment plants. The aims were to observe physiological effects on swimming, grazing and growth in the laboratory and effects on settling and population development at in situ conditions (in field mesocosms) in order to evaluate the damages on ciliated meroplankton caused by LAS. In the laboratory the larvae showed a 50% mortality at 3.8 mg LAS l⁻¹ after 96 h exposure whether or not food was provided. Additionally the swimming behaviour was affected at 0.8 mg LAS l⁻¹ (i.e. a more compact swimming track, a smaller diameter of the swimming tracks, and reduced swimming speed). The larval particle grazing was reduced 50% at 1.4 mg LAS l⁻¹. The specific growth rate of the larvae was reduced to half at 0.82 mg LAS l⁻¹ over 9 d. During the mesocosm experiment, the larval population showed a dramatic decrease in abundance within 2 d at concentrations as low as 0.08 mg LAS l⁻¹, both due to a significantly increased mortality, but also due to settling. The settling success was reduced at the same LAS concentration as that at which mortality was observed to increase significantly. In addition to reduced settling rate, the larvae showed delayed metamorphosis and reduced shell growth as a response to LAS. Our hypothesis that the larval ciliary apparatus, crucial for normal swimming, orientation, and settling behaviours and for particle uptake, was damaged due to LAS exposure is supported by our results. This is confirmed by the physiological data (grazing, growth) and in the direct video-based observations of larval performance (swimming) and provides a reasonable explanation for what was observed in the bags (abundance, settling, mortality). These physiological effects on blue mussel larvae/plantigrades occurred at LAS concentrations reported to occur in estuarine waters. Received: 15 January 1997 / Accepted: 12 February 1997     

Effects of cadmium on metallothionein and histology in gills of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at different salinities

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of sublethal cadmium concentrations on the levels of cadmium, metallothionein (MT) and histological changes in gills of East Java strain tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at different salinity levels. The levels of cadmium in control gills were not significantly different at 0, 5 and 10 practical salinity unit (PSU). The cadmium concentrations in gills of cadmium-exposed fish were significantly higher at 0 PSU than at 5, 10 and 15 PSU. The MT concentrations in control gills were not significantly different at 0, 5, and 10 PSU. The MT concentrations of cadmium-exposed fish were significantly higher than those in respective control groups at 0, 5 and 10 PSU. Significant gill damage occurred in fish exposed to cadmium at lower salinity. The epithelial lifting was noted at gills of fish exposed to 2.5 mg/L of cadmium at 0 PSU, and telangiectasis was observed at gills exposed to 5 mg/L of cadmium at 0 PSU. The level of gill damage decreased with increasing salinity of media. The increased MT and histological changes in gills of our findings could be a protective response of animals to toxic effect of cadmium.     

Haematotoxic effect of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) in fish,Heteropneustes fossilis

It was observed that clotting time decreased with the increased concentrations of LAS. However, the decrease was more pronounced at LC50 for 24 h and at the end of 96 h LC50, it was very close to control values.     

Linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) and bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cu and Pb) in Ruditapes philippinarum

The effect of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) on copper and lead bioaccumulation in Ruditapes philippinarum was studied. The in vitro and in vivo effect of LAS on acid and alkaline phosphatase activities was also examined. For lead, significant differences (P<0.01) were observed between organisms exposed to lead and to the mixture of LAS and lead. In the case of copper, these differences were only significant in the digestive gland (P<0.05). In vitro acid phosphatase was inhibited by LAS and the mixture of LAS with copper showed the effect of decreasing the enzymatic activity. Nevertheless, in vivo no significant differences in the digestive gland and gills (P < 0.05) were observed.     

A study of neurotoxicity of BHC in relation to residual accumulation on the brain tissue of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Neurotoxic effect of BHC, the organochlorine pesticide in Heteropneustes fossilis has been studied exposing at the dose concentrations of 1 ppm, 5 ppm and 10 ppm in lab aquarium for 96 hours over a period of one year. The results showed the behavioural abnormalities in different exposure concentrations such as dysfunction of endocrine gland, excretion of mucus, dispigmentation, sign of restlessness, erratic swimming with rapid jurkey movement, spiralling and convolution showing severe effect in central nervous system. Therefore an attempt has been made for monitoring of BHC residues viz. alpha, beta, gamma isomers in the brain tissue exposed to different sublethal concentrations using Gas liquid chromatography. The mean values of isomers were found to be 1.587 microg/gm for 1 ppm, 2.993 microg/gm for 5 ppm and 3.78 microg/gm for 10 ppm test group. Severe behavioural abnormalities were recorded at high dose concentration of pesticides with higher accumulation of pesticide residues in brain tissue.     

纳米ZnO对鲫鱼肝脏的毒性

鲫鱼(Carassius auratus)腹腔注射不同浓度纳米ZnO(5mg·kg-1、12.5mg·kg-1、25mg·kg-1、50mg·kg-1和125mg·kg-1,以鲫鱼体重计)14d后,研究了鲫鱼肝脏中的自由基(ROS)强度变化、氧化应激反应及其毒性机制.结果表明:纳米ZnO显著诱导鲫鱼肝脏自由基产生;自由基信号强度和脂质过氧化物(MDA)随纳米ZnO浓度的升高呈先升高后降低趋势;而还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和GSH/GSSG随纳米ZnO浓度的升高呈先降低后升高趋势;纳米ZnO的毒性主要表现在引起鲫鱼肝脏氧化损伤,其毒性机制为诱导鲫鱼肝脏产生活性氧自由基.     

Evaluation of linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) biodegradability in sediment by solid‐phase extraction and HPLC analysis

The linear alkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS) sorption on environmental sediments has been known long ago. Their high concentrations reflect the massive input of these chemicals from household and industrial uses. However few attempts were made to identify biodegradation metabolites of LAS in sediment. In this report, a method for the determination of these compounds in sediment samples by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described. The first step of our work was performed by solid‐phase extraction with octadecyl‐bonded silica (C18) mini‐columns and provided a suitable recovery of LAS (90 ± 5%) and most metabolites. Furthermore, laboratory investigations led to study the behaviour of LAS in sediment. The environmental samples used for this purpose were collected from a pond (named étang de Bolmon) located in the French Mediterranean coast. Our results were in agreement with an aerobic biodegradation process of LAS that occurred only with high values of sediment redox potential and needed the samples to be vigorously shaken to ensure adequate mixing and suspension of particulate material. In a stagnant sediment or under anaerobic conditions, LAS is not degraded. p‐Sulfophenylacetic acid and p‐sulfocinnamic acid were evidenced as predominant metabolites and were found not to be persistent.     

Automated interpulse duration assessment (AIDA) in the shore crab Carcinus maenas in response to copper exposure

The effects of acute (24 h) and chronic (4␣weeks) copper exposure and subsequent recovery in “clean” conditions on cardiac activity were examined in shore crabs ( Carcinus maenas). Cardiac activity was monitored by automated interpulse duration assessment (AIDA) which permits detection of irregularities in cardiac rhythms in selected invertebrates. Mean interpulse durations, maximum interpulse durations and coefficients of variation were significantly affected by exposure to copper for 24 h and 4 weeks. Mean interpulse durations decreased reflecting an increase in heart rate, whereas maximum interpulse durations and coefficients of variation increased with increasing exposure concentration. Recovery of normal cardiac activity was evident following a 6-week recovery period in “clean” conditions. However, high levels of mortality were seen among crabs exposed to the two highest copper concentrations (0.6 and 0.8 mg l⁻¹ Cu). The extent of recovery was assessed by subjecting the surviving crabs to a physiological challenge. There were no apparent differences in circulatory response to physiological challenge between crabs previously exposed to copper and control crabs. Gill copper concentrations were significantly elevated in crabs that had previously been exposed to copper, despite their return to “clean” sea water for 6 weeks. Midgut gland wet weight/dry weight ratios, haemolymph total protein and midgut gland metallothionein concentrations did not reflect the previous copper exposure. The findings of the present study indicate that AIDA may be a valuable tool for use in toxicity testing. Received: 24 March 1997 / Accepted: 21 October 1997     

Effect of pH and salinity on pathogenicity of Flavobacterium columnare and Myxobacterium sp. in Indian cat fish, Clarias batrachus (Linn.) and Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch.)

Flavobacterium columnare (FC) and Myxobacterium sp. recorded persistently associated in fish hatchery and culture system of Himalayan and Sub - Himalayan regions were found to be pathogenic. The pH and salinity played a significant role on the pathogenicity of these potent pathogens in case of Clarias batrachus and Heteropneustes fossilis. LD50 value of FC was 10(4.5) CFU in both the fishes and those of Myxobacterium sp it was 10(6) CFU ml(-1) fish(-1). Fish challenged with F. columnare and Myxobacterium sp. (@ 0.2 ml fish(-1)) individually consisting 10(5-6) cfu ml(-1) exhibited explicit symptoms of columnaris disease and marked with ulceration and saddle back lesion on the dorsal side of body. Maximum reisolation of inoculated bacteria was recorded at pH 7.0 and 7.5 and at 0.0-0.5 (F. columnare) and 0.0-1.0% (Myxobacterium sp.) salinity. Foregoing results elucidated that F. columnare was more sensitive to salinity in comparison to Myxobacterium sp. and their pathogenicity significantly (p<0.05) depends on the salinity and pH that might be one of the physical factors to control their proliferation.     

Element levels in cultured and wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) from the Adriatic Sea and potential risk assessment

In this study, the role of aquaculture activity as a source of selected metals was analyzed. Significant differences in element content between cultured (Dicentrarchus labrax, Sparus aurata) and wild fishes as well as between fish muscle and their feed were detected. Higher concentrations of trace elements (i.e., As, Cu, Hg, Se) in wild fish tissues in comparison with cultured ones indicate additional sources of metals beside fish feed as natural and/or anthropogenic sources. Generally, mean Cd, Cu, Pb, Se, and Zn concentrations in cultured (0.016, 1.79, 0.14, 0.87, and 34.32 μg/g, respectively) and wild (0.011, 1.97, 0.10, 1.78, and 23,54 μg/g, respectively) fish samples were below the permissible levels, while mean As (2.57 μg/g in cultured, 4.77 μg/g in wild) and Cr (5.25 μg/g in cultured, 2.92 μg/g in wild) values exceeded those limits. Hg values were lower in cultured (0.17 μg/g) and higher in wild (1.04 μg/g) fish specimens. The highest elemental concentrations were observed in almost all fish samples from Kor?ula sampling site. The smallest cultured sea basses showed As (4.01 μg/g), Cr (49.10 μg/g), Pb (0.65 μg/g), and Zn (136 μg/g) concentrations above the recommended limits; however, values decreased as fish size increased. Therefore, the majority of metal concentrations in commercial fishes showed no problems for human consumption. Also calculated Se:Hg molar ratios (all >1) and selenium health benefit values (Se-HBVs) (all positive) showed that consumption of all observed fishes in human nutrition is not risk.     

Behavioural toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to waterborne zinc and chromium(VI)

This study is to investigate the behavioural responses of zebrafish to the toxic effects of waterborne zinc and chromium(VI). Swimming performance of fish was tracked by a real-time toxicity bio-monitoring system and transformed into data to calculate individual and fish school behavioural endpoints. Behavioural responses under metals were in accordance with the Stepwise Behavioural Response model. Significant and concentration-dependent effects on swimming speed and turning times were found at concentrations equal to or higher than 3.5 mg L^-1 for zinc and 0.7 mg L^-1 for chromium. Swimming height significantly declined in concentrations equal to or higher than 3.5 mg L^-1 under zinc exposure, while for the chromium treatment, it significantly increased in lower concentration exposures and decreased in higher concentration exposures. Average distance and dispersion of fish school decreased at the beginning but there were no obvious changes during the whole exposure period. Behavioural responses under metal exposures were time-dependent: avoidance (increased speed and turning times and decreased average distance and dispersion) might be the first response and followed by height changes. Changes in behavioural endpoints ‘swimming speed and height’ can be used as early stress responses for acute aquatic metal contamination as part of ecological risk assessment.     

对二甲苯对褐牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)幼鱼的毒性效应研究

采用急性和28 d慢性暴露试验研究了海洋典型危险化学品对二甲苯对褐牙鲆幼鱼的致死效应和生长抑制效应,并测定了遗传毒性、神经毒性以及免疫毒性效应相关的毒理学评价指标。研究结果表明:对二甲苯对褐牙鲆幼鱼的96 h-LC50为45.7 mg·L~(-1),根据国家环保局水和废水监测分析方法编委会规定的化学物质对鱼类毒性分级标准,属于中等毒性,浓度高于2.3 mg·L~(-1)的暴露能显著抑制褐牙鲆幼鱼的生长;4.6和9.2 mg·L~(-1)浓度组观察到对二甲苯暴露28 d后褐牙鲆肝脏中的丙二醛含量与DNA损伤程度显著升高,脑组织中乙酰胆碱酯酶(Ach E)活力被明显抑制;9.2 mg·L~(-1)浓度组暴露28 d后,褐牙鲆幼鱼体内总血细胞数量和溶菌酶活力显著降低。这些结果表明较高浓度的对二甲苯长期作用可导致褐牙鲆幼鱼的氧化胁迫,造成其肝脏毒性损伤并产生神经毒性与免疫毒性。本实验结果为了解对二甲苯对鱼类的毒性作用机制以及对二甲苯的海洋生态风险评估提供了科学依据。     

Protective effect of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) extract against DNA damage induced by mercury chloride in marine fish

Marine organisms are continuously exposed to agents, both exogenous and endogenous, that damage DNA. Consequently, it is important to determine the ability of compounds to provide protection against damaging chemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-genotoxic activity of crude aqueous extracts of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyceae), collected from the Southeast coast of India. This study focused on possible anti-genotoxic potential of aqueous extract of K. alverazii to interfere with clastogenicity induced by mercury chloride (HgCl₂) in marine fish, Therapon jarbua as measured by cytogenetic endpoints such as cell viability and comet assay. In the first set of experiments, fish were exposed to a single treatment of Hg at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2?ppm along with controls. Mercury exposure produced significant DNA damage in all comet classes, maximum as >79% (Class 4) at 0.5, 1, and 2?ppm exposure in a time dependent manner. Algal extract did not induce genotoxicity when given alone and prevented Hg-induced genotoxicity. The algal extract reduction in genotoxicity was significant but not time- and concentration-dependent. Results suggested that under present experimental conditions, K. alvarezii extract exhibit potent anti-genotoxicity effects in this fish model; and thus these extracts may be recommended as a supplement in fish meal and may benefit humans ingesting Hg-contaminated fish.     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯（DEHP）对金鲫鱼脑细胞DNA的损伤

为了研究邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)对金鲫鱼(Carassius auratu)脑细胞DNA的损伤作用,采用不同浓度的DEHP溶液(0、25、50、100、200mg·L-1)对体外培养脑细胞进行染毒,应用单细胞凝胶电泳(彗星实验)检测脑细胞DNA的损伤效应.结果表明,染毒1.5h后,与对照组相比,DEHP各染毒组细胞尾部DNA百分率(Tail DNA%)和尾矩(Tail Moment)均显著升高(p<0.01),即DEHP染毒引起了脑细胞DNA的严重断裂;随着DEHP浓度的增加,DNA损伤程度加剧,细胞尾部DNA百分率及尾距与DEHP染毒浓度呈明显的剂量-效应关系.以上结果表明,DEHP可导致金鲫鱼脑细胞DNA损伤。     

Histopathological changes in liver of Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to cypermethrin

Cypermethrin was administered to Heteropneustes fossilis in chronic concentration to determine lesion of liver as indicators of tissue damage. The cypermethrin dose used was 1/4 of 96 hr LC50. Histopathological changes in liver ranged from vacuolization, necrosis, fibrosis of perivascular region and disposition of yellow brown grains at different time of exposure viz; 20th, 30th, 40th and 60th days.     

Impact of malathion on the biochemical parameters of gobiid fish, Glossogobius giuris (Ham)

There is a dearth of information regarding the changes in heart muscle metabolites induced by pesticides. In the present study, the gobiid fish, Glossogobius giuris, was exposed to sub lethal concentrations of (0.05, 0.25 and 0.5 ppm) organophosphorus pesticide, malathion for short duration (24 to 96 hr). The cardiac muscles showed maximum depletion of glycogen and cholesterol content during 72 and 96 hr after treatment with 0.5 ppm malathion. Whereas a slight fluctuation of protein and glycogen content was observed in low concentration (0.05 ppm) of malathion. The levels of protein showed a significant decrease at high concentration (0.5 ppm) when treated for longer duration (96 hr). The present study reports metabolic dysfunction in response to malathion toxicity in the fish.     

表面活性剂对土壤中重金属清洗及有效态的影响

采用两种常用的表面活性剂-十二烷基苯磺酸钠(阴离子型)、Tween-80(非离子型),对锦州铁合金厂周边Zn、Cd及Pb重金属污染土壤进行化学修复试验,研究两种表面活性剂对重金属Zn、Cd及Pb的去除率及化学形态影响.结果表明,随着表面活性剂浓度的提高,两种表面活性剂对Pb、Cd及Zn的去除作用增强,Tween-80溶液的浓度越高,对重金属的萃取效果越好,对重金属的去除能力大小顺序为Cd>Zn>Pb,最大去除率分别为83.07%、56.78%及42.57%;十二烷基苯磺酸钠在低浓度时对Cd和Pb的去除效果不明显,而对金属Zn的去除效果较好,在0.09 mol.L-1时达到最大值83.86%;与淋溶前土壤中重金属有效态含量相比较,经不同浓度十二烷基苯磺酸钠淋洗后土壤中Cd有效态含量随LAS浓度的升高而先增加后下降,而Pb的有效态含量随十二烷基苯磺酸钠升高而增加;经不同浓度Tween-80淋洗后土壤中Zn及Cd有效态含量都是随Tween-80浓度的升高而先增加后下降,Pb有效态含量随Tween-80升高而下降.     

Effect of dimecron on the blood parameters of Heteropneustes fossilis

The effects of an organophosphate insecticide. dimecron. has been studied on certain haematological parameters, viz., haemoglobin concentration, RBC number, haematocrit, O2 carrying capacity of blood, etc. of Heteropneustes fossilis following exposures to the LC50 for 24 h and 96 h and 1/10 and 1/50 parts of 96 h LC50 for 90 days. There was a significant decrease in the Hb%, RBC number, HCt% and O2 carrying capcity of blood. But, there was significant increase in the MCH and MCV values following both acute and chronic exposures. The results indicate possible induction of anaemia in the exposed fish.