Abstract
Exposure of mature red hybrid Tilapia sp. to a range of sub-lethal concentrations of endosulfan for 21 days induced a spectrum of often not clearly distinguishable Behavioural Toxic Symptoms (BTS), ranging from reversible to eventually fatal responses. The No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC: Below the threshold of BTS) and the Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC: Above the threshold of low intensity and reversible BTS and below the threshold of any mortality) were 25% to 50% of the fish) were 0.01 and 0.02 mg L?1, respectively. The 3-day and 21-day LC50 values were 0.031 and 0.016 mg L?1, respectively.
Highlights
Hillside farming, rainfall pattern, poor agronomic practices, which can all contribute to soil erosion, have rendered small Caribbean islands agro-ecosystems vulnerable to run-off of pesticide residues (Mansingh, 1993; Robinson et al, 1997; Mansingh et al, 2003)
With a history of varying levels of endosulfan residues being detected in Jamaican water, the present study was designed to investigate the reversible and non-reversible toxic effects of sub-lethal concentrations and acute toxicity levels of endosulfan on an indicator species, the hybrid Red Tilapia fish
No toxic symptoms were observed in the control fish or those exposed to 0.0025 mg L−1 of endosulfan for 21 days (Table 1)
Summary
Rainfall pattern, poor agronomic practices, which can all contribute to soil erosion, have rendered small Caribbean islands agro-ecosystems vulnerable to run-off of pesticide residues (Mansingh, 1993; Robinson et al, 1997; Mansingh et al, 2003). Pesticide residues have contaminated several Jamaican rivers, which drain the agricultural valleys and coastal waters (Mansingh, 1993; Mansingh et al, 1997; 2003). Residues of endosulfan (which was used extensively against the Coffee Berry Borer, Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari, in the Blue Mountains and highlands up until 2011) were detected in many wells and springs and in almost all the rivers, coastal waters and aquatic fauna in Jamaica during the 1990s (Robinson and Mansingh, 1999; Witter et al, 1999). With a history of varying levels of endosulfan residues being detected in Jamaican water, the present study was designed to investigate the reversible and non-reversible toxic effects of sub-lethal concentrations and acute toxicity levels of endosulfan on an indicator species, the hybrid Red Tilapia fish. The objective was to attain an insight into the ecotoxicity potential of the insecticide in Jamaican river and coastal waters
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