Larvicidal potential of Nerium indicum and Thuja oriertelis extracts against malaria and Japanese encephalitis vector

Ethanolic and acetone extracts of Nerium indicum and Thuja orientelis have been studied against III instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. Ethanolic extract of N. indicum is found more effective than its acetone extract against anopheline larvae with LC50 values of 185.99 and 148.05 ppm for former and 229.28 and 149.43 ppm for the later after 24 and 48 hrs of exposure. The acetone extract with LC50 values of 209.00 and 155.97 ppm is more effective in case of culicine larvae than its ethanolic extract with LC50 494.07 and 194.49 ppm after 24 and 48 hours of treatment. Ethanolic extract of T. orientelis is more effective against both the larval species with LC50 values of 13.10 and 9.02 ppm after 24 and 48 hours for anopheline and 22.74 and 16.72 ppm against culicine larvae. The acetone extract showed LC50 values of 200.87 and 127.53 ppm against anopheline and 69.03 and 51.14 ppm against culicine larvae. Thus ethanolic extract of T. orientelis is an ideal potential larvicide for both types of mosquito larvae.     

Acute toxicity levels and ethological responses of Channa striatus to fertilizer industrial wastewater

The present paper deals with the toxicity of fertilizer's industrial wastewater on snake head fish Channa striatus (Bloch) previously named as Ophiocephalus sp., at different concentrations viz., 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent on the behavioural changes and mortality. The exposed fish showed hyperactivity viz., jumping, operculum movement, distance travelling, somersaulting at higher concentration such as 60, 80, and 100 percent within 48 hr. At lower concentrations such as 20 and 40 percent exposed fish showed hyperactivities viz., linear movement and eye movement within 48 hr. The LC50 values of industrial wastewater were also determined viz. 89, 75, 70 and 69 percent at different duration of exposure time i.e. 48, 72, 96 and 120 hr respectively. The obtained data revealed that LC50 value decreased with increase of exposure.     

Toxicity of leaf extract of yellow oleander Thevetia nerifolia on Tilapia

The usefulness of leaf extract as an ideal source of 'piscicide' in shrimp farming is described Leaf toxins are safe, eco-friendly and biodegradable. The fish Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus was exposed to the extract and the percentage of mortality at the end of 24,48, 72 and 96 hrs was recorded. The respective toxic range of aqueous, alcohol and acetone extracts of 24 hr LC50 and 96 hr LC50 values were found to be respectively 1118.79-330.30, 699.24-129.02 and 749.95-347.23 mg dry extract/litre for Oreochromis mossambicus. The LC50 values observed in different time periods in the fish exposed to aqueous extract were relatively high compared to the values obtained in acetone and alcohol extracts. Use of leaf extract, as piscicide in aquaculture farms is considered advantageous when viewed against the backdrop of using persistent chemicals.     

Cuscuta hyalina Roth., an insect development inhibitor against common house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say

A preliminary screening of crude acetone extract of Cuscuta hyalina Roth. was conducted against the laboratory reared preadult stages of common house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae). 24 h LC50 of third and fourth instar larvae and pupae were 303 ppm, 306.44 ppm and 97.66 ppm respectively. The extract completely restrained the adult mosquito emergence at sublethal doses (50 ppm for third instar and 75 ppm for fourth instar), by disrupting the normal morphogenesis. The extract was found to be an effective oviposition deterrent at 80 ppm. The plant was also found to be effective in suppressing the adult emergence when directly sprinkled as dry powder on the water surface.     

Effects of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate on hemoglobin content and oxygen consumption of freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus)

Lethal effects of nitrogenous compounds ammonia, nitrite and nitrate on freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio were studied and the static LC50 values obtained for these 3 toxicants for 24 hr were 0.80 ppb, 171.36 ppm; 1075.10 ppm and continuous flowthrough LC50 values for 24 hr were 0.72 ppb, 154.31 ppm; 967.63 ppm respectively. The fish were exposed to lethal concentrations to study the changes in hematological parameters and the rate of oxygen consumption. During the period of exposure general decline in the content of hemoglobin was observed. Methemoglobin content increased in case of nitrite exposure consequently the hemoglobin levels decreased drastically. It is also observed that rate of oxygen consumption decreased progressively with the increase of toxicant concentration and duration of the exposure.     

Evaluation of hemopoietic responses in Labeo rohita Hamilton following acute copper toxicity

Fish are often exposed to highly contaminated water, especially in areas where the dilution rate of waste water is low. Environmental pollutants or other stress may affect one or more of the immunological functions in fish. Effective control of toxic substances is essential for the success of fish culture, which requires fish health monitoring using biomarkers. This study evaluated the effects of heavy metal copper (Cu) at environmentally relevant concentrations on the hematopoiesis in Labeo rohita. L. rohita fingerlings were exposed to different Cu concentrations for 6, 24, 48, or 72 hr. Following exposure, percentage blast cells was found to be increased after 6 and decreased after 24, 48, and 72 hr both at sublethal and LC₅₀ concentrations, whereas percentage mature erythrocytes decreased after 6 and increased after 24, 48, and 72 hr. Erythropoietic and leukopoietic efficiencies were also affected upon exposure. Erythropoietic and leucopoietic efficiencies increased markedly after 6, 24, and 48 hr but decreased after 72 hr in sublethal-treated fish. Erythropoietic efficiency decreased significantly after 6, 24 and 48 hr but increased after 72 hr in LC₅₀-treated fish. Leukopoietic efficiency decreased significantly after 6 hr exposure and increased after 24 and 48 hr but decreased after 72 hr. Flow cytometric studies of head kidney cell cycle phase distribution revealed cell death and DNA synthesis. The percentage cell death increased in fish exposed to sublethal concentrations and rose further at LC₅₀ during the earlier hours of exposure. Synthesis of DNA was increased at sublethal concentrations but was significantly reduced at LC₅₀ dose.     

Acute toxicity of copper sulphate to fresh water prawns

Fresh water prawns, Macrobrachium lamarrei and Macrobrachium dayanum (Crustacea-Decapoda) were subjected to static bioassay tests to ascertain the LC50 values of copper sulphate. The 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr LC50 values of copper sulphate for M. lamarrei were 0.38, 0.361, 0.343 and 0.300 mg/l and for M. dayanum were 1.634, 0.988, 0.532 and 0.418 mg/l respectively. Behavioral responses and LC50 values indicate that M. lamarrei were more sensitive to copper sulphate than M. dayanum.     

Laboratory weathering studies of coal refuse

Coal refuse samples from Staunton, Illinois, were continuously leached in soxhlet extractors at 97, 65, 55 and 45°C for up to 192 hr. An identical refuse sample was leached once a week for 11 weeks using a humidity cell at approximately 25°C. Leachate collected from the soxhlet and humidity cell apparatus was analysed for pH, EC, SO₄, Fe, Mn, Al and total acidity.The data indicate that concentrations of SO₄, Fe and Mn increased rapidly as the leaching temperature in the soxhlets increased. Soxhlet extractors removed virtually all soluble Fe and Mn species within 64 hr of leaching. A comparison of the leachate characteristics of the low-temperature soxhlet and humidity cell showed that the soxhlet removed 50% more total Fe and SO₄ for the complete leaching cycle. Pyrite oxidation in the soxhlet extractors was observed near the end of the extraction sequence, but pyrite oxidation in the humidity cell was masked by the release of soluble iron sulphates. Thus, the origin of leachate acidity in the humidity cell could not be distinguished between the soluble mineral phase and the acidity resulting from the oxidation of pyritie minerals.The results of this experiment suggests that the use of the soxhlet extractor for leaching coal refuse may produce a faster and more accurate representation of water quality impacts than would the use of the humidity cell. Long-term leaching studies must be completed to further clarify the role of both these leaching methods for predicting water quality impacts.Contribution of the Land Reclamation Program at Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439.     

Acute toxicity evaluation of copper,arsenic and HCH to paddy field crab,Paratelphusa hydrodromus (Herb.)

Routine static tests were conducted for determining the median lethal tolerance limit of paddy field crab, Paratelphusa hydrodromus exposed to Copper, Arsenic and HCH at different time intervals of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hour. The LC50 values for Copper came to be 28.00, 22.00, 18.20 and 15.70 ppm; Arsenic 136.00, 128.00, 121.500 and 114.00 ppm and HCH 10.00, 8.80, 7.00 and 6.00 ppm, respectively. The safe concentration, application factor and safe application rate were also calculated. They were for, Copper: 5.56, 1.59 and 3.26 ppm, Arsenic: 38.53, 11.40 and 76.00 and HCH : 4.07, 0.06 and 1.28 ppm. Animals exposed to different concentrations of test chemicals (Copper, Arsenic and HCH) showed prominent behavioural/morphological alterations viz., coughing, redness on the ventral side, paralysis and disorientation in scaphognathite activity. Animals exposed to high concentrations showed an avoidance behaviour by keeping away from the direct contact with the toxic solution either by climbing on the wall of aquarium or by mounting over the weak individual and forming a type of pyramid.     

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.     

Automatic sorting of zooplankton by isopycnic sedimentation in gradients of silica: Performance of a “Rho Spectrometer”

The embryonic and larval stages of the quahog clam Mercenaria sp. were exposed to the water-soluble fractions (WSFs) of 6 oils and the effects on survival and growth rate of the various stages were noted. Kuwait crude oil was the least toxic on initial exposure to both stages, having LC₅₀ values in excess of 10 ppm after continuous exposure to the WSF for up to 6 days. However, at 10 days, Kuwait was slightly more toxic than southern Louisiana crude oil, with both oils having LC₅₀ values near 2 ppm. Florida Jay crude oil was much more toxic, with an LC₅₀ of less than 1 ppm at 48 h and less than 0.2 ppm at 10 days. Two refined oils, No. 2 fuel oil and Bunker C, had LC₅₀ values of 1 to 2 ppm after 48 h, while used crankcase motor oil, the most toxic oil tested, had LC₅₀ values of 0.10 ppm or less at all exposure times. Larvae surviving exposure to water-soluble fractions of the various oils often grew at slower rates than the controls.     

Histopathological alterations of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus in acute and subchronic alachlor exposure

Histopathological alterations in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, aged 3 months and subjected to acute and subchronic alachlor exposure were studied by light microscopy LC50 values of alachlor for 24 hr 48 hr, 72 hr and 96 hr were 963.6, 563, 448, and 381.9 microg l(-1), respectively and the maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) was 350 microg l(-1). Fish were exposed to 381.9 (acute) and 35 microg l(-1) (sub-chronic) of alachlor for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr and 90 days, respectively Gill lamellae and kidney tubules were the primary target organs for the acute toxic effect of alachlor while in the subchronic exposure, the toxic effect on the gills was less marked than that of the kidneys and liver Gill alterations included edema of the epithelial cell system, aneurisms with some ruptures, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of epithelial cells. The liver showed hydropic swelling of hepatocytes and vacuolation. Lipid vacuoles were observed in hepatocytes in the second and third month of subchronic exposure. The kidney showed hydropic swelling of tubular cells, lipid vacuole accumulation in many tubules, and nuclear pyknosis. The findings of this study could be used as a guideline forbiomonitoring programs on populations of Nile tilapia cultured near alachlor contaminated areas.     

Changes in oxygen consumption and heart rate of the blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1766) following exposure to sublethal concentrations of copper

Weight specific oxygen consumption and heart rates were investigated in blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus to indicate the stress in response to increasing salinities (50, 75, 100 and 125%SW) and increasing copper concentration (0, 0.75, 1.5, 3 and 6 ppm copper) at temperature 25 degrees C. Oxygen consumption (micromol.g(-1).h(-1) was measured using closed system respirometer (Strathkelvin Instruments oxygen meter model 781). Heart rates (beat.min(-1)) were recorded using impedance techniques. It has been found that oxygen consumption and heart rate increased with decreasing salinities and increasing copper concentration. The statistic showed weight specific oxygen consumption of P. pelagicus after 96 hr exposure to 6 ppm copper in all salinities were significantly different (P < 0.05) from 0 ppm copper. Mean heart rate of P. pelagicus in 50%SW after 96 hr exposure to 6 ppm copper were significantly different (P < 0.05) from 0 ppm copper.     

Relative toxicity of spent lubricant oil and detergent against benthic macro-invertebrates of a west African estuarine lagoon

The relative acute toxicity of spent lubricant oil and detergent was evaluated against hermit crab, Clibanarius africanus (Aurivillus) and periwinkle, Tympanotonus fuscatus (L) from the Lagos lagoon in laboratory bioassays. Based on the derived toxicity indices, the detergent (96 hr LC50 = 5.77ml/l) was found to be 1.73 times more toxic than spent engine oil (96 hr LC50 = 10.01 ml/l) when acting singly against C africanus and 18.73 times (96 hr LC50-48.67 ml/l) more toxic (96 hr LC50 = 911.57 ml/l) when acting singly against T. fuscatus. On the basis of the computed susceptibility factors, C. africanus was found to be about eight times and ninety-one times more susceptible to the toxic effect of detergent and spent lubricant oil respectively. The randomized analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was significant difference (Fcal 58.83 Ftab 3.87; DF 13; p > 0.05) between all treatments of spent lubricant oil and detergent during the 96 hr exposure period of test animals. At 5% level of significance the Student Neuman-Keuls (SNK) test further revealed significant differences in the mean mortality response of test animals exposed to toxicants at all concentrations and untreated control. The results obtained in this study suggest that the estuarine benthic macroinvertebrates, which play key roles in the environment, may serve as useful in-situ sentinels for biomonitoring studies of petroleum pollutants in fragile aquatic ecosystems such as the Lagos lagoon.     

Assessment of deposition of MEMC (seed dressing fungicide) in exposed rice grain through study of seedling growth parameters

Rice seed grains exposed to 240 ppm of seed dressing fungicide, MEMC showed increase in deposition of mercury with increase in period of observation (0h to 48h) in 765+/-5 mg of intact endosperm. The gradual increase in mercury deposition in intact endosperm caused simultaneous decrease in mercury content of the seed coat. Exposure periods of 5 to 20 min with 240 ppm of MEMC showed 5.5 to 8.72 microg of mercury deposition in 765+/-5 mg of intact endosperm. Increase in period of exposure (3 to 20 min) to 240 ppm of MEMC and also increase in chronic treatment to lower concentrations (1.5 ppm to 24 ppm) to seed grains have shown similar results in seedling growth parameters. Lower period of exposure or exposure to lower concentrations, both showed a significant inhibition of root growth, however the shoot growth showed stimulation. But higher exposure period or exposure to higher concentrations brought inhibition of both root and shoot growth. The exposure period showing 50% of root growth inhibition of 72h old seedling was calculated to be 10 min So also the chronic treatment showing the 50% of root growth inhibition was calculated to be 9 ppm. Ten min exposure of rice grain to 240 ppm of MEMC showed deposition of 7.11 microg of mercury in 765+/-5 mg of intact endosperm at 48h of observation (optimal phase of germinating process). Regression analysis indicated that by the time of 72h the intact endosperm and developing seedling might have acquired with a minimum amount of 10.23 microg of mercury from the seed coat. Finally it can be said that 10.23 microg of MEMC might be bringing 50% root growth inhibition in 72h old seedlings and 16.71 microg of mercury causing 50% inhibition of both root and shoot growth of 120h old seedlings.     

表面活性剂十二烷基苯磺酸钠（SDBS）和十二烷基磺酸钠（SDS）对安氏伪镖水蚤的急性毒性研究(Acute Toxicity of Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate（SDBS）and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate（SDS）to the Copepod, Pseudodiaptomus annandalei)

为探讨表面活性剂成分对海洋桡足类生物的影响,测定了十二烷基苯磺酸钠(SDBS)和十二烷基磺酸钠(SDS)对安氏伪镖水蚤(Pseudo-diaptomus annandalei Sewell)的急性毒性作用.结果表明,SDBS对安氏伪镖水蚤雌体24h、48h、72h和96h的半致死浓度LC50分别为2.40、1.67、1.59和1.58mg·L-1,而对雄体分别为1.84、1.54、1.41和1.40mg·L-1;SDS对雌体24h、48h、72h和96h的LC50分别为54.33、30.85、25.21和15.85mg·L-1,对雄体分别为18.48、13.55、10.51和8.50mg·L-1;SDBS对雌体和雄体的安全浓度分别为0.24mg·L-1和0.32mg·L-1,而SDS对雌体和雄体的分别为2.98mg·L-1和2.19mg·L-1.结果显示,对安氏伪镖水蚤而言,SDBS比SDS的毒性更强;以半致死浓度LC50为参考依据,安氏伪镖水蚤雄体均比雌体对这两种表面活性剂敏感.     

Degradation and acute toxicity of Methidathion and Trichlorfon on Procambarus clarkii,in experimental conditions

Routine applications of organophosphate pesticides may adversely affect many nontarget organisms. Static toxicities in mature crayfish Procambarus clarkii were determined, in laboratory, for two organophosphate insecticides using 24, 48, 72 and 96‐h static tests. Three groups of 10 crayfish were exposed to 0.75 to 6 ppm for Trichlorfon and 0.2 to 0.9 ppm for Methidathion. The 24 to 96‐h LC50 values for Trichlorfon and Methidathion were from 5.14–0.99 ppm and 0.73–0.28 ppm respectively. Studies of degradation of Methidathion and Trichlorfon have been made using 1 ppm for Methidathion and 0.1 ppm for Trichlorfon. Both insecticides were degradated gradually until 96‐h. Results show that Methidathion is more toxic to P. clarkii in our medium and degradation of both pesticides is similar.     

Comparative larvicidal potential of different plant parts of Withania somnifera against vector mosquitoes in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan

Larvicidal potential of the extracts from different parts viz. green and red fruits, seeds, fruit without seeds, leaves and roots of Withania somnifera in different solvents was evaluated against larvae of Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, the important disease vectors prevalent in the semi-arid region. Experiments were carried out on late 3rd or early 4th instar larvae of these mosquitoes using standard WHO technique. 24 and 48 hr LC50 values along with their 95% confidence limits, regression equation, chi-square (chi2)/heterogeneity of the response have been determined by log probit regression analysis. The 24 hr LC50 values as observed for whole green fruits in water, methanol and petroleum ether were 350.9, 372.4, 576.9; 115.0, 197.1, 554.6; 154.9, 312.0, 1085.0 while corresponding values for red fruits were 473.5, 406.4,445.2; 94.7, 94.5, 1013.0; 241.8, 535.0, 893.3 mg l(-1) for An. stephensi, Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus respectively showing that methanol extracts were more effective against anophelines as compared to culicines when whole fruits were taken. The 24 hr LC50 values as observed for seeds in acetone, methanol and petroleum ether were 188.1, 777.5, 822.5; 245.5, 769.0, 1169.0; 140.3, 822.9, 778.4 and for fruit without seeds were 80.2, 97.6, 146.6; 88.4, 404.4, 1030.0; 30.0, 44.5, 54.2 mg l(-1) for the above mosquito species respectively showing that extract of fruit without seeds were most effective in petroleum ether followed by acetone and methanol extracts. However, experiments conducted with methanol extracts of leaves and roots of this plant species did not show any appreciable larvicidal activity and a 20-40% mortality was observed up to 500 mg l(-1) of the extracts. Overall larvae of anophelines were found more susceptible as compared to culicines to all the extracts tested. Petroleum ether extract of fruit without seeds was found most effective against all the mosquito species showing that active ingredient might be present in this part of the plant species. The study would be of great importance while planning vector control strategy based on alternative plant derived insecticides.     

多效唑对水生生物的急性毒性评价研究

本文以斜生栅藻、大型水蚤和草鱼为试验生物,研究植物生长调节剂多效唑对水生生物的急性毒性效应。多效唑对斜生栅藻EC_(50)-96h为20.62mg/l;对大型水蚤LC_(50)-48h为21.86mg/h;对草鱼苗静态生物检测结果为LC_(50)—120h 16.33mg/l,流水生物检测结果为LC_(50)-96h 14.36mg/l,LC_(50)-120h 9.13mg/l。经多效唑处理后,藻的细胞形态也发生明显改变。根据农药的实验室毒性评价划分标准,多效唑对三种生物的毒性均属低毒;田间安全性预评价的结果也表明其毒性为低毒,故认为多效唑是一种对水生生物危害较小的农药。但其慢性毒性及长期积累效应,尚有待进一步研究。     

Biological effects of oil on early development of the Baltic herring Clupea harengus membras

The effects of petroleum hydrocarbons from two crude oils and one fuel oil (No. 1) were studied on the ontogenic development of the Baltic herring Clupea harengus membras L. Herring eggs exposed to water-soluble fractions of the oils at the time of fertilization showed no decrease in numbers of fertilized eggs compared to eggs exposed 6 or 72 h after fertilization. During embryongenesis, treatment with 3.1 to 8.9 ppm or 3.3 to 11.9 ppm total oil hydrocarbons from light fuel oil and the two crude oils respectively, gave rise to alterations in embryonic activity, decreased heart rate, and premature or delayed hatching. Although many larvae hatched from eggs exposed to contaminated water (3.1 to 11.9 ppm total oil hydrocarbons), the majority of the (70 to 100%) were malformed or dead 1 day after hatching. Exposure of eggs to 5.4–5.8 ppm total oil hydrocarbons resulted in significantly (P<0.001) decreased lengths of the larvae. Increased temperature (from 9° to 14°C) aggravated the effects of the oils. The results are discussed in relation to the potential effects of oil spills and chronic oil pollution on fish eggs and larvae in the Baltic Sea.