Metals and Histopathological Alterations in the Liver of Schizothorax niger, Heckel From The Dal Lake of Kashmir Valley

Abstract

Abstract:The study was conducted to evaluate the metal induced abnormalities in the liver of Schizothorax niger from Dal Lake seasonally for a period of two years. The varied seasonal metal concentrations for copper (66.77  3.12 to 81.68  3.51 ppm), zinc (73.81  2.52 to 97.84  4.62 ppm), iron (204.92  5.21 to 296.51  4.37 ppm) and manganese (01.13 0.02 to 08.30  1.00 ppm) were observed during the entire period of study. The highest concentration of metals was observed in the summer seasons and the lowest concentrations in the winter seasons during the study period. Further, histochemical analysis demonstrated enormous amount of metals (Cu, Fe and Zn) in the liver of Schizothorax niger in summer seasons during the entire study period. The subsequent effects of metals, demonstrated by wet digestion-based Atomic Absorption Method and histochemical methods showed histological changes on the liver of Schizothorax niger. The liver showed disruption of the hepatic cords with congestion and degenerative changes in hepatocytes that varied from mild in winter seasons to severe vascular degeneration in summer season. From the present study it may be concluded that the metals in the environment are polluting the water bodies and their subsequent deleterious effects harm the aquatic fauna particularly the sensitive native fish, Schizothorax niger which is one of the reasons for its decline from the fresh water resources of the Kashmir Valley.

Histopathological changes in gill and liver of Capoeta capoeta living in the Karasu River, Erzurum

“…Various alterations in the livers have also been reported in the fish exposed to metals. Yousuf et al () studied the effects of metals on the Schizothorax niger (Heckel) from the Dal Lake of the Kashmir Valley and found congestion, hyperplasia, and degenerative changes in hepatocytes. Yılmaz et al () observed hydropic degeneration and necrosis in light to severe levels in the liver of Leuciscus cephalus when tissues were exposed to cadmium sulfate.…”

Economic valuation and characterization of heavy metal contamination in Dal Lake Srinagar, Kashmir, India

“…Unfortunately, the HMs and other pollutants in Dal Lake has changed the hydrochemistry of the water body and has decreased the aesthetic value in attracting tourists, which are the major drivers of the local economy [ 14 , 15 ]. The chemical poisoning of the Dal Lake has occurred in recent years and has culminated in the death of millions of fishes [ 16 ]. Dal Lake water which was once used for drinking purpose, has quickly deteriorated in quality in the recent decades, owing to anthropogenic interventions such as sewage from houseboats, hotels, and the surrounding population [ 17 , 18 ].…”