Journal of Environmental Biology

Effects of sub-lethal concentrations of zinc on histological changes and  bioaccumulation of zinc by kidney of fish Channa punctatus (Bloch)

 

Pallavi Gupta and Neera Srivastava

Fish Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004, India

 

(Received: 24 April, 2004 ; Accepted: 25 October, 2004)

 

 

Abstract: Fresh water fish , Channa punctatus were exposed to three sub-lethal concentrations of zinc (10 mg/l, 15 mg/l and 25 mg/l) for 15 days. The effects of this exposure have been studied on bioaccumulation of zinc and histology of the kidney at intervals of 8, 10 and 15 days. Statistically significant increase in zinc concentration was noted in fish of all treated groups. Simultaneously, severe histological changes were noted in the kidney of all exposed groups. Both, bioaccumulation and histopathological changes were dose and duration dependent. Post exposure recovery in fish was noted after transferring these fish to normal tap water for another fortnight. Slow elimination of zinc was observed though the concentration of zinc remained significantly higher than controls till the end of the experiment. Histopathological changes observed in the kidney also persisted. However, by the termination of the experiment kidney of group II showed signs of mild recovery.

 

Key words: Channa punctatus, Zinc, Kidney, Histology, Bioaccumulation.

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