Ecotoxicological studies on fish, Labeo rohita exposed to tannery industry effluent by using micronucleus test

Abstract

Tannery industries are globally situated. The genotoxic effect was analyzed in erythrocytes of a freshwater fish, Labeo rohita exposed to tannery industry effluent using micronucleus test. Micronucleus test is simple, rapid and reliable method used in laboratory for monitoring genotoxic damage. The 96 h LC50 value was calculated by using Finney method and it came out to be 7.07 %. Fishes were exposed to three sub-lethal concentrations (3.53, 1.76 and 0.88 % of 96 h LC50 value) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Presence of one micronucleus was predominant than two and three to five micronuclei in erythrocytes of fishes exposed to effluent. Concentration 3.53 % proved to be highly toxic and 0.88 % can act as a safe disposal concentration. The results showed concentration and time dependent response. Thus, results revealed that discharge of tannery effluent caused clastogenic effects in fish erythrocytes. This may lead to stock depletion of fishes and aquatic organisms living in rivers. Similar clastogenic effects may also occur in human population living around rivers using contaminated water and consuming contaminated fishes.