PM02 Metals in the Environment: Aquatic Biological Perspectives
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Monday, 10 November 2003
(PM053) Acute effect of hexavalent Chromium on the Total Erythrocyte Count and Hemoglobin percent of the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton).
Vutukuru, Dr. Sesha1, 1 ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY LAB, CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, JAWAHARLAL NEHRU TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, HYDERABAD, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
ABSTRACT- Natural waters are contaminated by untreated wastes of domestic, industrial, technological and agricultural origin often containing toxic heavy metals and other hazardous substances. Aquatic organisms, particularly fish, have a tendency to accumulate heavy metals in their body tissues. Hexavalent chromium is toxic and potentially possesses highly carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic properties. Keeping these in view, this study was attempted to assess the effect of short-term exposure of chromium on some hematological profiles of the widely consumed Indian major carp, Labeo rohita owing to its importance in aquatic food chain. Since blood is a pathophysiological reflector of whole body and also a sensitive indicator of stress, such studies form an important component in the field of biomonitoring under variable environmental conditions. The fish were exposed to 96hr LC 50 concentration of chromium (39.40 mg/L) for both 24 and 96hrs. Blood samples were collected from the fish after each exposure period and the samples were analyzed for hemoglobin per cent by acid-hematin method of Sahli in hemometer (Germany) and the erythrocytes were enumerated in Naeubaur double hemocytometer (Germany) while the mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) was directly calculated from these values. The results revealed a significant decrease in the total erythrocyte, hemoglobin per cent and the absolute value MCH of the fish both at the end of 24 and 96hrs exposure indicating chromium induced anemia.
Key words: Hematological profiles , Hexavalent chromium, Labeo rohita, Anemia