Impact of Industrial Wastewaters on Fresh Water Fish, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1785): A Tool for Ecological Risks Monitoring

Background: In the era of industries, the problem of pollution of aquatic resources has become aggravated due to continuous wastewater disposal. The Aquatic ecosystem health can be considered as an indicator of the environmental state. Furthermore, fishes are an ideal indicators for contaminated environment.

Aims: To assess the sensitivity of common carp fishes against industrial wastewaters exposure on the basis of lethal effects and behavioral changes as a tool for ecotoxicology for knowing the possible effects upon environment due to selected industries wastewater.

Methodology: In this study, the effects of industrial wastewaters for different ecotoxicological parameters (mortality and behaviour changes) on common carp were studied under static conditions during different time interval (24, 42, 72 and 96 h) followed by sampled industrial wastewater quality analysis for physicochemical parameters.

Results: Increased space between the gills and operculum, excessive excretion, as well as increased fish surface activity was found in the wastewater exposed fish compared to control.

Conclusion: The overall findings from the present study indicate that the sampled industrial wastewaters are safe for crop irrigation but may have some adverse impact on the biota due to the observed behavioral and histological changes in wastewater exposed fishes.