Abstract
In vertebrates haematological parameters are of considerable importance in the diagnosis of pathological disorders due to pollutants. Similar haematological studies in invertebrates are lacking. This is partly because a very few species have erythrocytes; arcid clams, however, are unique in having erythrocytes. Our experiments were designed therefore to evaluate the effect of naphthalene (N) on haematological parameters in the tropical arcid blood clam Anadara granosa L. The parameter studied were haemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), haematocrit, erythrocyte fragility, haemolymph cations, free amino acids and osmolality. On exposure to naphthalene (N) in the sublethal range (5 to 15 μg ml-1) Hb content decreased appreciably (P<0.001) compared with controls. Although ESR increased significantly (P<0.001), haematocrit decreased by 17 to 37%. Treatment with N for 96 h increased erythrocyte fragility and haemolysis; the latter by more than 40%. Both inorganic phosphate and free fatty acids increased with ambient concentration of N. Haemolymph cations — K, Ca and Mg increased significantly in relation to control. Na decreased, but not significantly. Free amino acids decreased significantly (P<0.001) with the ambient concentration of naphthalene, but haemolymph osmolality was not effected.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Augenfeld, J. M., Anderson, J. W., Woodruff, D. L., Webster, J. L. (1980). Effect of Prudhoe Bay crude oil-contaminated sediments on Protothaca staminea (Mollusca: Pelecypoda): Hydrocarbon content, condition index, free amino acid level. Marine environ. Res. 4: 135–143
Bangera, V. B., Patel, B. (1984). Natural radionuclides in arcid clam Anadara granosa and gobiid mudskipper Boleophthalmus boddaerti (Cuv. and Va.). Ind. J. Mar. Sci. 13: 5–9
Bayne, B. L., Livingston, D. R., Moore, M. N., Widdows, J. (1976). A cytochemical and biochemical index of stress in Mytilus edulis L. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 7: 221–224
Burton, R. F. (1980). Adenosine triphosphate as a determinant of magnesium levels in cytoplasm. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 65 A: 1–4
Crenshaw, M. A., Neff, J. M. (1969). Decalcification at the mantleshell interface in molluscs. Am. Zoologist, 9: 881–885
Crider, J. Y., Wilhm, H., Harmon, H. J. (1982). Effect of naphthalene on the hemoglobin concentration and oxygen uptake of Daphnia magna. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 28: 52–57
Ezell, G. H., Sulya, L. L., Dodgen, C. L. (1969). The osmotic fragility of some fish erythrocytes in hypotonic saline. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 28: 409–415
Fiske, C. H., Subbarow, Y. (1925). The colorimetric determination of phosphorus. J. Biol. Chem. 66: 497–509
Jeffries, H. P. (1972). A stress syndrome in the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria. J. invertebr. Pathol. 20: 242–251
Kicemiuk, J. W., Khan, R. A., Dawe, M., Williams, U. (1982). Examination of interaction of trypansome infection and crude oil exposure on haematology of the longhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus octodecemspinosus). Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 28: 435–438
Klonz, G. W., Smith, S. L. (1969). Methods of using fish as biological research subjects. In: Gay, W. (ed.) Methods of animal experimentation. Academic Press, New York and London
Nicaise, G. (1973). The glioniterstitial system of Molluscs. Int. Rev. Cytol. 34: 251–332
Parpart, A. K., Lorenz, P. D., Parpart, E. R., Gregg, J. R., Chase, A. M. (1947). The osmotic resistance (fragility) of human red cells. J. clin. Invest. 26: 636–640
Patel, B., Balani, M. C., Patel, S., Pandey, V. K., Soman, S. D. (1975a). Impact of thermal and radioactive effluents on a tropical nearshore ecosystem. Proc. Symp. Combined effects of radioactive, chemical and thermal release to the environment. 17–34. STI/PUB/404 IAEV, Vienna
Patel, B., Bangera, V. S., Patel, S., Balani, M. C. (1985). Heavy metals in the Bombay harbour area. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 16: 22–28
Patel, B., Eapen, J. T. (in preparation, a). Biochemical evaluation of naphthalene intoxication in the tropical arcid blood clam Anadara granosa
Patel, B., Eapen, J. T. (in preparation, b). Physiological evaluation of naphthalene intoxication in the tropical arcid blood clam Anadara granosa
Patel, B., Mulay, C. D., Ganguly, A. K. (1975b). Radioecology of Bombay Harbour a tidal estuary. Estuar. Cstl mar. sci. 3: 13–42
Patel, B., Patel, S. (1964). Studies on the haemoglobin of Anadara species (Marine lamellibranche). J anim. Morphol. Physiol. 11: 143–161
Patel, B., Patel, S., Balani, M. C., Pawar, S. S. (1978). Flux of certain radionuclides in the blood clam Anadara granosa (L.) under environmental condition. J. exp. mar Biol. Ecol. 35: 177–195
Plummer, D. T. (1971). An introduction to practical biochemistry. Tata McGraw Hill, Bombay
Roesijadi, G., Anderson, J. W. (1979). Condition index and free amino acids content of Macoma inquinata exposed to oilcontamined marine sediments. In Vernberg, W. B., Calabrese, A., Thurberg, F. P., Vernberg, F. J. (eds.), Marine pollution: functional responses. Academic Press, New York. p. 69–83
Rosen, H. (1975). A modified ninhydrin colorimetric analysis for amino acids. Arch. Biochim. Biophys. 67: 10–15
Shaffi, S. A. (1980). Mercury toxicity: Biochemical and physiological alterations in nine fresh water teleosts. Toxicol. Lett. 8: 187–194
Sharpsteen, J. R. Jr. (1975). Physio-chemical mechanisms in the pathogenesis of certain hemolytic anemias. Am J. med. Sci. 229: 506–516
Zs-Nagy, I. (1977). Cytosomes (yellow pigment granules) of molluscs of as cell organelles of anoxic energy production. Int. Rev. Cytology 49: 331–377
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Eapen, J.T., Patel, B. Haematological evaluation of naphthalene intoxication in the tropical arcid blood clam Anadara granosa . Marine Biology 100, 223–226 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391962
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391962