Effect of paper mill effluent on haematology of Tor putitora (Hamilton)

Abstract

Tor putitora (mean wt., 86.69±1.26 g, mean total length, 19.73±0.40 cm) were exposed for 30 days to varying concentrations (3, 6, 12, and 24 ml/L) of paper mill effluent with a view to check the haematological changes. Red blood cell count (RBCC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin content (MCHC), white blood cell count (WBCC), neutrophils, monocytes and small lymphocytes were 2.17±0.01‐ 1.90±0.01×106/mm3, 8.8±0.02‐6.5±0.02 g%, 27.34±0.24‐27.02±0.28%, 126.28±1.78‐123.04±1.82 um3, 41.80±0.12‐38.40±0.71 pg, 32.42±0.08‐ 28.45±0.08 g%, 13.16±0.28‐16.19±0.23×103/mm3, 10.36±0.33‐5.19±0.26%, 5.87±0.25‐4.17±0.26% and 83.08±1.27‐89.24±1.25% respectively. After 30 days of exposure RBCC, Hb, MCV and MCHC decreased significantly (p<0.05) at 24 ml/L, whereas increasing trend in WBCC at all concentrations has been observed. Pathological alterations of erythrocytes in blood smears included deformation sticking, lysis and abnormal presence of senile erythrocytes were clearly observed in T. putitora exposed to paper mill effluent. These changes might be attributed to structural damage of RBC membranes resulting in haemolysis and destruction in haemoglobin production. Elevation in WBCC could be due to stimulation of immune system in response to tissue damage caused by paper mill effluent. This study therefore gives an insightinto toxic effect of the paper mill effluent on T. putitora.