A Study on Oxygen Consumption in Freshwater Fish Labeo Rohita Exposed to Lethal and Sub Lethal Concentrations of Ethion 50%Ec

Abstract

The pesticide pollution different classes like organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates and other new
generation ones affect the fish oxygen consumption in sublethal concentrations. Respiratory responses to
lethal concentrations increase the ventilation volume and symptoms of pesticide intoxication suggesting
that the effect on respiratory surface were high in fish. Hence, in the present study an attempt has been
made to study the effect of lethal(1.2µg/l) and sub-lethal 1/10(0.12µg/l) LC50 and 96hrs of 50% mortality
concentrations of Ethion 50% EC an Organophosphate effect on oxygen consumption for 24 h at each 2
hours interval to the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita (Hamilton). Oxygen consumption of aquatic animals is
a very sensitive physiological process and therefore, alteration in the respiratory activity is considered as an
indicator of stress of animals exposed to pesticides. The significant drop in the rate of oxygen consumption
was observed in the present study in lethal and sub-lethal concentrations.