Effect of Short-term Exposure of Agrochemical Constituents (Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate and Potassium) on Survival of Fingerlings of Guppy Fish, Poecilia reticulata

Samartha D.K.; Sarjan H.N.

Abstract

Increased use of agrochemicals enhances eutrophication and thereby inducing hypoxic condition which adversely affects aquatic flora and fauna. Present study was aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exposure of different concentration of nitrate (NO3), nitrite (NO2), phosphate (PO4) and potassium (K) on survival of Guppy fish, Poecilia reticulata. Fingerlings of Poecilia reticulata were exposed to increasing concentration (1, 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 mg/L) of NO3, NO2, PO4 andK separately under laboratory condition for 48 hours. After the treatment period, the percentage mortality of fingerlings was calculated from each treatment group. The behavioral alterations were analyzed during the experimental period. Exposure of different concentration of NO3, NO2, PO4 andK caused mortality of fingerlings, wherein highest mortality was observed at higher concentration. The dose dependent increase in mortality was observed in different concentration of NO2 whereas NO3, PO4 andK did not resulted any dose dependent effects. The present study indicated that short term exposure of lower concentration of agrochemicals can induce mortality of early stages of fishes. Therefore, the study reflects on the need of safe measures to prevent the entry of agrochemicals to natural aquatic ecosystem, thereby loss of aquatic fauna can be prevented.

Abstract

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