ABSTRACT
This study was done to examine the comparative effect of different concentrations of kerosene and diesel on the ion regulatory characteristics in Tympanotonus fuscatus after exposure. Tympanotonus fuscatus were exposed to different concentrations of kerosene and diesel (10.40, 15.60, 21.00 and 26.00 ml/L) and a control to examine their effect on sodium, potassium and chloride ions in the muscle and viscera for six days. In the muscle, kerosene generally increased the levels of sodium, potassium and chloride ions in the lower concentrations (10.40 and 15.60 ml/ L) above the control values. In the higher concentrations (21.00 and 26.00 ml/L), these parameters were observed to be lower than the control value. Whereas the levels of sodium, potassium and chloride ions in the viscera increased above the control value in all the exposure concentrations except potassium 15.60 ml/L and chloride at 21.00 and 26.00 ml/L concentrations. In the viscera, sodium ion levels were lower than the control value in both kerosene and diesel media except at 21.00 ml/L concentration. Potassium ion levels in kerosene increased above the control values except at 26.00 ml/L, while lower levels of potassium ions were recorded in all the exposure concentrations. Chloride ions were lower than the control value in all the exposure concentrations of kerosene and diesel. The results of this study showed that both kerosene and diesel altered the ion regulatory and osmolality of Tympanotonus fuscatus and kerosene being more effective. The toxicants seem to be parameter and tissue specific in their mode of action.