Distribution and risk assessment of pesticide residues in sediment samples from river Ganga, India.

Indiscriminate use of pesticides leads to their entry in to the bottom sediments, where they are absorbed in the sediment's particle and thus, may become the consistent source of aquatic pollution. The present work was carried out to evaluate pesticide residues in the sediment samples and associated human health risk of commonly used pesticides along the basin of river Ganga. Total of 16 pesticides were analyzed along three stretches of river Ganga. The concentration of pesticides in the upper stretch ranged from ND to 0.103 µg/kg, in the middle stretch ND to 0.112 µg/kg, and in the lower stretch ND to 0.105 µg/kg. Strong positive correlation was found between total organic carbon and total pesticide residues in sediment samples. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic values were estimated below the threshold limit suggesting no associated risk. Risks associated with the inhalation route of exposure were found to be higher than the dermal and ingestion routes. Children were found at higher risk at each site from multiple routes of exposure than adult population groups. Toxic unit values were found to be below the threshold value suggesting no risk associated with exposure of pesticides from sediments. However, long term effects on ecological quality due to consistent pesticide exposure must not be ignored. Therefore, the present study focuses on concrete efforts like lowering the irrational used of pesticides, tapping of agricultural and domestic drains, advice to farmers for appropriate use of pesticide doses, to reduce the threat of pesticide pollution in the river system and possible human health risk.

Oxidative, biochemical and histopathological alterations in fishes from pesticide contaminated river Ganga, India.

The river Ganga basin accommodates large scale of agricultural activities, where large quantities of pesticides are applied. To assess the biological impact of pesticide residues that are continuously entering in the water body, biomarkers are common approach in bio-monitoring study as early warning signals to pollutants. In the present study qualitative and quantitative analyses of gill and liver histopathological and the biochemical parameters were determined in Rita rita and Cyprinus carpio. The difference in the histopathology and oxidative stress responses emphasize the response of selected fishes to the presence of contaminants in the water. Sloughing of lamellar epithelium and their disruption, dilated vessels, lamellar fusion, smooth muscle hypertrophy in the gill and necrosis, Vacuolation in hepatocytes, inflammation and distorted arterial walls were seen in the liver. The biochemical parameters were the main contributors to discriminate the changes in the fish physiology. In conclusion, the gill and liver histopathological responses, although not reflecting specific contaminants, but can be used as biomarkers of environmental contamination.

Pesticide residues in Rita rita and Cyprinus carpio from river Ganga, India, and assessment of human health risk.

Present study was carried out to determine the concentration and bioaccumulation of pesticide residues in two commonly edible fishes: bagrid fish, Rita rita and common carp, Cyprinus carpio collected from river Ganga at Narora, India. The human health risk via consumption of these fishes was also assessed. The n-hexane extract of the muscle tissues was characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and quantified by electron capture detector for pesticide residues. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) in bagrid fish for detected pesticides was found to be higher than those in common carp. Estimated daily intake (EDI) values in our study were insignificantly higher than Average daily intake (ADI) values. Target hazard quotient (THQ) via consumption of selected fishes was found to be lower than the set 1.0, inferring non-carcinogenic risk. With regard to contaminants carcinogenic effects the total risk ratio (R) values of each pesticide was found lower than threshold risk limit except of heptachlor which indicates carcinogenic risk. The results justify pesticide pollution in river Ganga at Narora and thus more attention is required in order to help improve the health status of this ecosystem and reduce contamination of fishes.

Comparison of physico-chemical parameters and zooplankton diversity in two perennial ponds at Aligarh, India.

Investigations were carried out on the diversity of zooplankton in relation to physico-chemical parameters of two perennial ponds (Chautal Pond and Medical Pond) of Aligarh, India. Thirty nine species of holoplankton were identified belonging to copepoda (2 species), rotifera (28 species), cladocera (6 species) and protozoa (3 species). Other forms; like as meroplankton (insects) and tychoplankton (nematodes and ostracodes) were also recorded. Higher values of physico-chemical parameters and low zooplankton diversity were recorded in the Chautal Pond, whereas low values of physico-chemical parameters and high diversity were recorded in the Medical Pond. Ostracods considered to be the most dominant group in Medical Pond (32.16% of the total zooplankton) while Cladocerans are considered to be the most dominant group in Chautal Pond (38.83% of the total zooplankton). Rotifera contributed more in Medical Pond (16.42%) as compared to Chautal Pond (15.81%). Five species of Brachionus was recorded during study. Out of five, four Brachionus species were recorded in Chautal Pond while only two species were recorded in Medical pond. This indicates that Chautal Pond is more eutrophic than Medical pond. In addition, higher carbon dioxide values (37-105 mg l(-1)), low dissolved oxygen (0.7-3.3 mg I(-1)) and higher electrical conductivity values (1069-1691 mg l(-1)) were also indicative of eutrophic nature of Chautal Pond. Present study also revealed that total zooplankton species, species richness and diversity indices (Evenness, Shannon-Winner and Simpson) were comparatively higher in Medical pond. The rotifer species Philodina roseola (146 Org. l(-1)) and Monstyla closterocerca (109 Org. l(-1)) was dominated in Medical Pond while the rotifers Brachionus urceolaris (512 Org. l(-1)) and the cladocern species Ceriodaphnia cornuta (1540 Org. l(-1)) dominated in Chautal Pond during post-monsoon season. This might be due to the effect of rain water which played an important role in replenishment of the ponds. Also, the abundance of cladoceran C. cornuta in Chautal Pond might be due to the higher vegetation in this pond. The abundance of these zooplankton species in these ponds suggests that these taxa can be considered as pollution indicators.

Zooplankton population in relation to physico-chemical parameters of Lal Diggi pond in Aligarh, India.

Physico-chemical parameters and zooplankton were assessed Lal Diggi pond from January to December, 2008. Four groups of zooplankton were recorded. Rotifera constituted the main dominant group in this pond contributing 44.89% of the total zooplankton population followed by Cladocera (30.41%), Copepoda (15.51%) and Ostracoda (4.68%). The highest density of zooplankton was recorded during January and February being 197 and 182 no l(-1) respectively, while the lowest density was recorded during May and June being 64 no l(-1) each could be due to the negative and significant value of correlation between zooplankton and water temperature (r = -0.700). These data is supported by similarity indices which recorded high values during January and February while the lowest values recorded during June and July.

Abandoning the ship: spontaneous mass exodus of Clinostomum complanatum (Rudolphi, 1814) progenetic metecercariae from the dying intermediate host Trichogaster fasciatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801).

The dramatic and spontaneous exodus of live Clinostomum complanatum progenetic metacercaria from the gill slits of the dying intermediate host, Trichogaster fasciatus is reported. Basic water parameter tests for dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature revealed slightly lower level of dissolved oxygen in tank water used for water change. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report of a digenean metacercariae, en mass leaving their intermediate host, upon its death in search of an alternative host to support their survival and help in continuing their life cycle.