Abstract
AbstractThe present study aims to assess the diversity of fin fishes along with the water quality and the major toxic heavy metals accumulated in the organs of two edible major carps: Labeo rohita and Catla catla collected from the two different sites of the River Kolab, i.e. Upper Kolab (site 1) and Lower Kolab stretches (site 2) in Koraput District of Odisha, India. The study recorded fourteen (14) least concerned followed by three (03) near threatened and two (02) Vulnerable species under IUCN category. Highest Shannon-Weiner species diversity index at site 1 revealed that site 1 has more fish diversity than site 2 and it is supported by the Index of Dominance whose value is just vice versa. This may be because of its proximity to the two major Industries: Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and National Aluminium Company (NALCO). Temperature and turbidity of the water and heavy metal content were comparatively higher at the region of site 2, receiving effluents compared to river water, which received less effluent discharge (site 1). High metal accumulation in fishes at site 2 indicates the impairment of ambient stream due to discharge of industrial and municipal effluents into the river. The pattern of accumulation was in the order of Zn > Cu > Pb in both for muscle and intestine irrespective of species and sites, excepting in muscle of Labeo rohita in site 1 where Zn > Pb > Cu. It is to be noted that in case of intestine of Catla catla at site 2, Pb accumulation (1.299 ppm dry weight) is above the permissible level as per WHO/FAO (1984). This is an alarming signal for human community. Correlation coefficient computed between physico-chemical variables and accumulated metals revealed the regulatory effect of temperature and pH on metal accumulation. As river Kolab is the main source of drinking water and these fishes are the main fishery resources, consumed by many people in the study area, hence, proper detoxification of heavy metals in effluent and municipal waste is necessary before discharging them into the water body. It is also recommended that awareness programmes should be taken up among the people regarding the hazards of consumption of polluted water and fishes.KeywordsRiver Kolab; Shannon-Weiner diversity indexIndex of dominanceBioaccumulation Labeo rohita Catla catla
Published Version
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