Bioaccumulation of Metals in the Edible Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) Exposed to Coal Mine Effluent Generated at Northern Coalfield Limited, Singrauli, India

Abstract

Metal accumulation in various tissues of Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to the effluent generated from an open cast coal mine was investigated. The contents of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr in the effluent were above the permissible limits as suggested by the different pollution control agencies. Out of the eight metals investigated, accumulation (mg kg(-1) dry weight of tissue) of Fe was maximum in every tissues followed by liver (265.88 ± 49.89) > kidney (153.0 ± 65.85) > gills (50.66 ± 23.923) > brain (49.303 ± 5.11) > air breathing organs (27.98 ± 10.93) > skin (19.56 ± 2.53) > muscles (8.74 ± 0.83). This was succeeded by Pb in brain (39.35 ± 5.79), Zn in kidneys (27.04 ± 2.31), Mn in the gills (20.69 ± 3.044), Cu (12.53 ± 1.01) > Cr (5.10 ± 2.87) in liver and Cd in kidneys (2.18 ± 0.084). Liver and ABOs showed significant uptake of all the metals. Except Cu and Cr, accumulation of most of the metals by kidneys and gills were also significant. Accumulation of Fe, Cd, Pb and Cr in most of the tissues of exposed fish were above the permissible limits indicating their potential hazardous impact on fish as well as on fish consumers. Even in the tissues of untreated fish the concentrations of Fe (12.26-428.47), Cd (0.2-1.22), Pb (0.02-9.42) and Cr (1.14-11.05) were above the permissible limits. This clearly demonstrates greater bioavailability of these metals in the area.

Toxicity Analysis of Coal Mine Effluent on Vital Organs of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) Using Biometric and Biochemical Parameters

“…In previous work, it has been shown that the effluent generated from the Dudhichua site, NCL, Singrauli contains metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Cd, and Pb) concentrations above the safe limits .…”

“…Prior to death, several vital organ systems of CME exposed H. fossilis became progressively damaged as indicated by altered biochemical configuration (Tabs. [2][3][4][5][6]. Out of the seven tissues, reduction in glycogen content of muscles and brain was progressive throughout exposure periods (Tab.…”

“…However, little research has focused on the toxic impact of CME on fishes, and data related to the cumulative impact of raw CME on fishes are meager (http://www.epa.gov/). Recently, Bharti and Banerjee observed bioaccumulation of certain toxic metals (Cr, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, and Pb) in different vital organ systems of Heteropneustes fossilis (a species of Asian catfish) during exposure to coal mine effluent . Due to its great economic importance, the same catfish, H. fossilis was selected as the experimental fish.…”

Enzyme activity and morphological change in the spleens of crucian carp in the Yongcheng coal mine subsidence area, China

“…Therefore, fish are often used as sensitive bio-indicators of trace element pollution to evaluate the health of aquatic ecosystems (Dórea, 2008;Bharti and Banerjee, 2011;Al Sayegh Petkovšek et al, 2012). Heavy metals are concentrated at different levels in different organs of the body (Chi et al, 2007), and evaluation of these levels is considered important for understanding the health of an organism (Buggy and Tobin, 2008;Ayotunde et al, 2012).…”

Locomotor and behavioural responses of empire gudgeons (Hypseleotris compressa) exposed to coal mine wastewater

“…While the majority of studies have focused on invertebrate species, several studies have described a range of potential sub-lethal impacts in fish, which are related to coal mine discharge. These include effects on survival (Scullion and Edwards, 1980;Mylliemngap and Ramanujam, 2012), community structure (Branson and Batch, 1971;Daniel et al, 2014), morphometrics Banerjee, 2013, 2014), metal uptake (Bharti and Banerjee, 2011;Arnold et al, 2014), genotoxicity (Benassi et al, 2006), reproduction (Rudolph et al, 2008), metabolism (Miller et al, 2009) and oxidative stress (Benassi et al, 2006). However, research pertaining to native Australian fish species has been extremely limited, particularly considering the national importance of the mining industry.…”