Effects of Pesticide Contamination on Fish Health and Aquatic Biodiversity

Abstract

Remote Sensing Increasing utilization of agricultural pesticides is leading to severe contamination of aquatic animals particularly fish. The present study is aimed at inducing toxic action of organophosphate pesticide Malathion on fish Channa Punctatus specifically in the context of hematological, biochemical, oxidative stress and histological aspect. Fishes were treated with Malathion the sub lethal fraction and were studied at different intervals (7, 14, 21, and 28 days). Physiological response was determined. The fish showed anemia and low transport of oxygen is ascertained by the decrease in Hb and RBC's count Leucocytosis, the increased WBC's count is seemingly an immune reaction to the toxic stress. A significant increase was observed in liver enzymes, ALT, AST and ALP indicating hepatocellular damage and disturbance in metabolism. Detection of oxidative damage was inferred from an increased ROS and LPO (MDA) with a highly significant decreased SOD, CAT and GPx. Histopathological study revealed damage in the tissues of liver, gills and kidney shown by necrosis, lamellar fusion and tubular degeneration.Thus Channa Punctatus was a victim of toxic action from Malathion by various physiological pathways