Abstract
The study examined the effect of sub-lethal level of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LAS) on some selected electrolyte and metabolic indices of juvenile Heterobranchus bidorsalis. The fish were exposed to varying concentrations of LAS (0.00 mg/L, 0.01 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L and 0.03 mg/L, respectively) in a semi-static tank for 14 days. The chemical test analysis of LAS showed that only total suspended solid (196.8 mg/L), total alkalinity (56.1 mg/L) and nitrate (7.9 mg/L) exceeded Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) permissible limits. Conductivity and dissolved oxygen (DO) of the water parameter differ significantly (p < 0.05) from the control and among dose concentration. Electrolyte values (K+ and Ca2+) were not significantly (p > 0.05) different at all level of LAS concentration. However, there were significant (p < 0.05) differences in Na+ concentration. The highest value for Na+ (16.00 + 1.16 Mmol/L) was obtained at 0.02 mg/L, while the least (5.35 + 0.45 Mmol/L) was recorded in the control at 0.00 mg/L. There was significant (p < 0.05) differences in values of urea in the experimental group, except between 0.01mg/L (1.53 + 0.05 mg/dm) and 0.02 mg/L (1.60 + 0.06 mg/dm). On the contrary, there were significant (p < 0.05) differences in all the values of creatinine recorded in this study. The values increased down the experimental group in a dose dependent pattern. The highest value of creatinine (54.45 + 4.96 mg/dm) was recorded at 0.03 mg/L dose concentration while the least (30.47 + 7.65 mg/dm) was obtained in the control (0.00 mg/L). The present study concluded that LAS has impact on the metabolites and electrolytes especially creatinine and the Na+. Therefore, LAS could be very toxic at high concentrations and as such, indiscriminate discharge of LAS effluent into aquatic environment should be averted.
Highlights
The health of aquatic ecosystem is often threatened by its exposure to toxic substances and compounds
The result showed that aside total suspended solid (196.8 mg/L) and total alkalinity (56.1 mg/L) which exceeded maximum limit recommended by Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) (2007), and nitrate (7.9 mg/L) that was higher than values recommended by FEPA (2007) and Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) (2007), respectively, all other parameters are below the maximum permissible limits recommended in water by WHO (2006), SON (2007), and FEPA (2007), respectively
While the dissolved oxygen decreases in values as the concentration of doses increases, there was an increase in values of conductivity as the dose increased
Summary
The health of aquatic ecosystem is often threatened by its exposure to toxic substances and compounds. Out of all the known surfactants in Nigeria, Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS) is one of the most popularly used surfactant for both industrial and domestic purposes This could be accredited to its ability to lower the surface tension of water, as well as loosen stains from fabrics and surfaces (Spirita et al, 2015). LAS is relatively aerobically degraded and it is very stable in hard water as well as in low acidic and alkaline media (Oyoroko and Ogamba, 2017) Several fish indices such as mortality, electrolytes, metabolites, enzymatic and biochemical parameters, behavioral response, condition factor, organosomatic, haematological profile (Inyang et al, 2016) and Histopathology (Mekuleyi and Fakoya, 2017) have been used to assess the impact of chemical toxicants on aquatic organism
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