Nazura Usmani

Assessment of heavy metal (Cu, Ni, Fe, Co, Mn, Cr, Zn) pollution in effluent dominated rivulet water and their effect on glycogen metabolism and histology of Mastacembelus armatus.

The present study was conducted to examine the contamination of rivulet situated at Kasimpur, Aligarh (27.218° N; 79.378° E). It receives the wastewater of Harduaganj Thermal Power Plant (HTPS) containing fly ash and heavy metals. Among the heavy metals estimated in the rivulet water, Fe (8.71 mgL-1) was present in the highest concentration followed by Cu (0.86 mgL-1), Zn (0.30 mgL-1) Mn (0.21 mgL-1), Ni (0.12 mgL-1), Co (0.11 mgL-1) and Cr (0.10 mgL-1). The values for the heavy metals such as Fe, Ni and Mn were beyond the limits set by UNEPGEMS. Bioaccumulation of these heavy metals was detected in tissues such as gills, liver, kidney, muscle and integument of the fish Mastacembelus armatus. Accumulation of Fe (213.29 – 2601.49 mgkg-1.dw) was highest in all the organs. Liver was the most influenced organ and integument had the least metal load. The accumulation of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn, observed in the tissues were above the values recommended by FAO/WHO. Biochemical estimation related to blood glucose, liver and muscle glycogen conducted showed significant (p < 0.01) elevation in blood glucose content over control (17.73%), whereas liver glycogen dropped significantly (p < 0.01) over control (−89.83%), and similarly muscle glycogen also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) over control (−71.95%), suggesting enhanced glycolytic capacity to fuel hepatic metabolism. Histopathological alterations were also observed in selected organs (gills, liver and kidney) of Mastacembelus armatus.

Stress response of biomolecules (carbohydrate, protein and lipid profiles) in fish Channa punctatus inhabiting river polluted by Thermal Power Plant effluent

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of heavy metals in the Thermal Power Plant effluent was performed to study the impact of their toxic effects on various biomarkers (carbohydrate, protein and lipid profiles). Heavy metals present in the water were in the order Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Ni > Co > Cr. Fe and Ni exceeded and Cr was equal to the USA standards set by UNEPGEMS. Glycogen in liver (p < 0.001) and muscle (p < 0.01) depleted significantly. Insignificant (p < 0.05) decline in blood glucose (−21.0%) and significant (p < 0.05) elevation in both total protein and globulin in serum, liver and muscle was noted. Albumin decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in serum but showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in liver and muscle. Thus A:G ratio fell in serum and rose in liver and muscle. Similarly lipid profile also gets altered where significant elevation in serum total lipid (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (p < 0.01), phospholipid (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.001), LDL (p < 0.01) was observed but significant (p < 0.05) decline in VLDL was recorded. These biomarkers suggested that fish become hypoglycemic, hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic. Heavy metals also provoked immune response as evident from the rise in globulin. In conclusion the Thermal Power Plant wastewater containing heavy metals induced stress, making fish weak and vulnerable to diseases.

Bioaccumulation, oxidative stress and genotoxicity in fish (Channa punctatus) exposed to a thermal power plant effluent

Metal bioaccumulation and induction of biomarkers such as lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S transferase (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and DNA damage are potential indicators of stress in Channa punctatus exposed to effluents. In canal water, receiving thermal power plant discharges, Fe and Ni concentrations exceeded the recommended guidelines set by the United Nations Environment Programme Global Environment Monitoring System (UNEPGEMS). Fe was highly bioavailable and accumulated in all organs (liver, kidney, muscle and integument). The highest metal pollution index (MPI) value of 41.2 was observed in kidney and the lowest 13.5 in muscle tissue. LPO, SOD, CAT and GST levels were significantly higher in liver and kidney, whereas GSH levels declined significantly compared to fish from the reference site. Concomitant damage to DNA was observed with significantly higher mean tail length in the exposed fish gill cells (26.5µm) and in liver (20.8µm) compared to reference fish. Therefore, it can be concluded that the thermal power plant effluent had the potential to cause oxidative stress and DNA damage in C. punctatus.

In vivo induction of antioxidant response and oxidative stress associated with genotoxicity and histopathological alteration in two commercial fish species due to heavy metals exposure in northern India (Kali) river.

Heavy metals can significantly bioaccumulate in fish tissues. The step wise mechanism of heavy metal toxicities on fish health is still limited. The present study assessed the tissue-specific antioxidant response and oxidative stress biomarkers of commercially important fish species namely, Channa striatus and Heteropneustes fossilis inhabiting Kali River of northern India where heavy-metal load is beyond the World Health Organisation - maximum permissible limits. Heavy metals chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were elevated in both fish species compared to recommended values of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA), 1999 for edible fishes. Reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CATA) activities in all tissues (brachial, neural, renal and hepatic) were altered. Cellular lipid and protein compromisation in both fishes induced by heavy metals was determined by lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PC) assays. Micronucleus (MN) test of erythrocytes and comet assay of liver cells confirmed genotoxicity. Histopathology of the liver, kidney and brain of affected fishes was distorted significantly with its reference fishes thereby affecting the quality and quantity of these fish stocks. This raises a serious concern as these fishes are consumed by the local population which would ultimately affect human health.

Multiple biomarker responses (serum biochemistry, oxidative stress, genotoxicity and histopathology) in Channa punctatus exposed to heavy metal loaded waste water

Experiments were conducted to investigate the health of fish Channa punctatus inhabiting heavy metal-loaded waste water. Heavy metals in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Co > Ni > Cu = Cr were present in the waste water. Gills had high metal load followed by liver and then kidney. Albumin, albumin to globulin (A:G) ratio, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were found to be lower but phospholipid, low density lipoprotein (LDL), total protein, lipid and cholesterol were higher as compared to the reference. Oxidative stress markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S transferase (GST) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were significantly higher in all tissues, whereas reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were comparatively low. Damage to DNA was observed with significantly higher mean tail length of comets in the exposed fish gill cells (30.9 µm) followed by liver (24.3 µm) and kidney (20.6 µm) as compared to reference fish (5.2, 4.8 and 5.9 µm respectively). Histopathology in gill, liver and kidney also showed marked damage. Integrated biochemical, oxidative stress, genotoxicity and histopathological findings are valuable biomarkers for native fish adaptive patterns, and monitoring of water quality/pollution of freshwater ecosystems.

An Overview of the Adverse Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination on Fish Health

Rapid industrialization results in the production of huge amounts of solid and/or liquid wastes, which is usually discharged into the nearby water bodies, leading to the damage of the important ecosystems and seafood products. Therefore, the present overview aims to highlight the issue of pollution of aquatic ecosystems and fish health. Heavy metals are widely used in every industrial application; therefore, they form the core group of pollutants of any industrial discharge. Some of the heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr are essential as they form the cofactor for many of the enzymes and also needed in metabolic activities. On the contrary, their exceeding amount is also detrimental to both animals and human beings. Based on the current review, it has been observed that to monitor the health of indicator organism (fish), battery of bioassays or biomarkers are required. In addition to this rationale of using the few selected parameters such as condition indices, bioaccumulation, blood biochemistry, marker enzymes of tissue damage, oxidative stress, genotoxicity and histopathology in describing, the aquatic pollution has also been emphasized. All these parameters are significantly affected by heavy metals and hence proved as useful tools in biomonitoring or toxicity assessment studies. Since fishes are consumed by large mass of population due to their high protein and polyunsaturated fatty acid content, human health is also under danger.