Biomarker responses in fish exposed to industrial effluent

The effects of effluents from textile industry were studied using Mystus tengara as test organism. The effluents were collected from non point source and the chemical parameters assessed. The pH, DO. hardness, and alkalinity were much higher than the standard quality. The toxicity of these effluents on Mystus tengara and the LC 50 values were determined. The experimental fishes revealed gradual decrease in albumin and INR. RBC. Plasma level of glucose was also lower in the exposed fish when compared to the control. However high levels of ASP and ALT were observed. Histopathology of experimental fish revealed swelling and degeneration of hepatocytes, mild proliferation of bile ducts. In conclusion, the changes observed indicate that hematological and biochemical parameters can be used as an indicator of toxicity related stress in fish exposed to effluents.