Skip to main content
Log in

Fish scales as indicators of wastewater toxicity from an international water channel Tung Dhab drain

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effect of wastewater exposure on scales and chromatophores of freshwater fish Channa punctatus was studied using wastewater dilutions (60–100%) from an international water channel Tung Dhab drain at an interval of 15 and 30 days. The exposed fish showed significant alterations such as uprooted and damaged lepidonts and dispersal of chromatophores. These observations strongly suggest that fish scales can be successfully employed as indicators of wastewater pollution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Afzal, S., Ahmad, I., Younas, M., Zahid, M. D., Khan, M. H. A., Ijaz, A., et al. (2000). Study of water quality of Hudiara drain, India–Pakistan. Environment International, 26, 87–96.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, T., Awasthia, A., & Rana, S. V. S. (2004). Fish chromatophores as biomarkers of arsenic exposure. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 71, 7–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA, AWWA, & WEF (1998). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (20th ed.). Washington, DC: American Public Health Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asano, T., Burton, F. L., Leverenz, H. L., Tsuchihanshi, R., & Tchobanoglous, G. (2007). Removal of constituents by secondary treatment. In Metcalf & Eddy (Ed.), Water reuse: Issues, technologies and applications (pp. 295–301). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaplen, F., Upson, R., McFadden, P., & Kolodziej, W. (2002). Fish chromatophores as cytosensors in a microscale device: Detection of environmental toxins and microbial pathogens. Pigment Cell Research, 15(1), 19–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhillon, S. S., Kaur, H., Bath, K. S., Mander, G., & Syal, J. (1996). Analytical studies on the aquatic ecosystem of Punjab. Final Technical Report, Department of Zoology, Punjabi University, Patiala.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gandhi, G., & Kumar, N. (2004). DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals residing near a wastewater drain and using underground water resources. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 43(4), 235–242.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, N., & Dua, A. (2005). Mercury toxicology as assessed through fish scales. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 74, 1105–1110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johal, M. S., & Dua, A. (1995). Elemental lepidological and toxicological studies in Channa punctatus (Bloch) upon exposure to an organochlorine pesticide, Endosulfan. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 55(6), 916–921.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johal, M. S., & Sawhney, A. K. (1997). Lepidontal alterations of the circuli on the scales of fresh water snake head, Channa punctatus (Bloch) upon exposure to malathion. Current Science, 72(6), 367–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M., Khan, H. N., & Aslam, H. (2003). Hudiara drain—a case of trans-boundary water pollution between India and Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 6(2), 167–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khanna, D. R., Sarkar, P., Gautam, A., & Bhutiani, R., (2007). Fish scales as bio-indicator of water quality of River Ganga. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 134, 153–160.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khapekar, R. R., Chaudhary, P. R., & Nandkar, P. B. (2008). Impact of industrial effluents on freshwater bodies: A review. In K. R. Gupta, K. Bosselmann, & P. Maiti (Eds.), Global environment problems and policies (4th ed., pp. 84–105). New Delhi: Atlantic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koca, Y. B. M., Koca, S., Yildiz, S., Gurcu, B., Osanc, E., Tuncbas, O., et al. (2005). Investigation of histopathological and cytogenetic effects on Lepomis gibbosus (pisces: Perciformes) in the Cine stream (Aydin/Turkey) with determination of water pollution. Environmental Toxicology, 20, 560–571.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mason, C. F. (1981). Biology of freshwater pollution. London: Longman Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohta, T. (1974). Movement of pigment granules within melanophores of an isolated fish scale. Effects of cytochalasin B on melanophores. Biology Bulletin, 146, 258–266.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rishi, K. K., & Jain, M. (1998). Effect of toxicity of cadmium on scale morphology in Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 60, 323–328.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sambyal, V., Kaur, R., Chaudhary, S., & Amar, S. (2004). High frequency of micronuclei in buccal mucosa of women residing near a sewage disposal drain in Amritsar. Anthropologist, 6(2), 125–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sponza, D. T. (2002). Incorporation of toxicity tests to the discharges of pulp paper industry in Turkey. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 69, 719–726.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur, J. S., Kumar, R., Singh, D., Prasad, R., & Rajvanshi, A. (2007). Effect of effluent disposal on water quality and human health among people living in close proximity to major wastewater drains in Punjab. Final Report, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), School of Public Health, Department of Community Medicine, Chandigarh.

  • Yoshitomi, T., Koyama, J., Iida, N., & Ikeda, Y. (1998). Cadmium-induced scale deformation in carp (Cyprinus carpio). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 60, 639–644.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anish Dua.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kaur, R., Dua, A. Fish scales as indicators of wastewater toxicity from an international water channel Tung Dhab drain. Environ Monit Assess 184, 2729–2740 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2147-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-2147-y

Keywords

Navigation