Lindane induced respiratory changes in juveniles of an estuarine fish Therapon Jarbua

Abstract

The incipient LC50 of lindane for juveniles of Therapon jarbua was 0.057 ppm. The effects of a lethal concentration (Incipient LC50 = 1 toxic unit, TU) and two sublethal concentrations Viz. 0.1 TU (0.0057 ppm) and 0.25 TU (0.0413 ppm) of lindane were studied using flow through experiments. Lethal concentration induced hyperactivity and significant increase in oxygen uptake by the juveniles. Sublethal concentrations induced significant fall in rates of oxygen consumption; an indication of conservative approach by the juveniles for energy resources. Increase and decrease in oxygen uptake induced by lethal and sublethal concentrations respectively, were related to ATPase activity. During the tests starvation was found to be additive to sublethal stress of lindane and antagonistic to lethal stress