Anthropogenic Activity and Aquatic Health with References to Hepatotoxicity and Endocrine Disruption in Chrysichyths furcatus

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities had affected aquatic life in the nascent Niger -Delta ecological zone, hence the hepatotoxicity and endocrine disruption in one of the dominant freshwater fish in the zone was investigated. Post juvenile Chrysichthys furcatus of relatively equal sizes and weight (weight of 15.0 ± 0.30 g), body length of 11.40 ± 0.1 cm) were chosen for this investigation. The fish that were purchased from a private fish farm, were acclimatized for 14 days and exposed to the range of concentrations observed in the field (250,500,750) mg/100ml and a control. The water in the aquaria was kept within the standard limit with the aid of aerators. Blood chemistry were determined using standard methods. Physiological responses of the fish exposed to the crude oil were designated based on the severity, good condition and abnormality. The hepatic response indices were affected, and endocrine disruption marker decreased with an increase in the toxicant concentrations. These findings had revealed that crude oil is detrimental to fish health, and there is the tendency of affecting biodiversity and magnification along with the trophic level. It, therefore, becomes imperative that appropriate authorities should take the necessary step to avoid the spillage of oil into the aquatic environment