Toxic Impacts of C.I. Acid Orange 7 on Behavioural, Haematological and Some Biochemical Parameters of Labeo rohita Fingerlings

Abstract

Contamination of water bodies by textile effluents is well documented worldwide and their toxicity to ecosystem is one of the alarming environmental issues. Hence, the present study was undertaken to evaluate toxic effects of C.I. Acid Orange 7 (AO 7), a commercially used textile azo dye on Labeo rohita fingerlings. To evaluate sublethal effects on behavioural, haematological and biochemical parameters of Labeo rohita fingerlings, they were exposed to three sublethal concentrations of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/l of AO 7 for 5, 10 and 15 days. For haematological parameters haemoglobin (Hb), red blood corpuscles (RBC) count and white blood corpuscles (WBC) count were selected whereas for biochemical study liver alanine amino transferase (ALAT; E.C.2.6.1.2) and aspartate amino transferase (AST; E.C.2.6.1.1) were assayed. During the exposure period remarkable altered behavioural changes were observed such as loss of balance, erratic swimming and severe mucus secretion over the gills. Haematological changes were pronounced after the exposure such as significantly lowered Hb and RBC count. WBC count was significantly increased. These variations were concentration and time dependent. A marked decrease was noticed in ALAT and AST activity in liver. Present findings reveal that AO 7 exerts its toxic effects even in sub lethal concentrations. Hence, behavioural, haematological and biochemical parameters proved to be sensitive biomarkers to evaluate the effect of textile dye/effluent or other industrial pollutants, on aquatic lives.