Cytotoxicity assessment of monocrotophos in Paramecium caudatum and Oxytricha fallax.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the toxic effects ofmonocrotophos in ciliate models Paramecium caudatum and Oxytricha fallax. In acute toxicity studies higherconcentrations of monocrotophos caused marked increase in mobility of cells exhibiting rocking movements within two mins of exposure but were decreased after 30 mins. LC50 value by mortality curve for 3 hr acute toxicity test of Oxytricha fallax and Paramecium caudatum was found 307.744 +/- 33.27 mg l(-1) and 332.284 +/- 57.52 mg l(-1) respectively. Oxytricha fallax was found sensitive than Paramecium caudatum to monocrotophos. In acute exposure cells showed deformities such as swelling, oval shaped deformity and in higher concentrations shortening of longitudinal axis with blackening of cytoplasm occurred. The length of paramecia was reduced prominently. Similarly enlargement of contractile vacuole and stress egestion of food vacuoles was also observed. The morphological studies showed the changes in shape, size, colour and width of Paramecia and Oxytricha. Frequencies of macronuclear aberrations were significant showing deformities such as rod shaped, elongation, fragmentation, diffusion and total absence of nucleus and were concentration dependent. The data provided in the present study on interaction of pesticides with nuclear structure can be of immense value because most of these pesticides have been reported to have carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic properties.

Water quality assessment of Lake Pandu Bodhan, Andhra Pradesh State, India.

A systematic investigation of variations in some nutrient levels at Pandu Lake from August 2002 to July 2004 was carried out. The untreated domestic wastes from various parts of Bodhan town are directly discharged into Pandu Lake leading to gross pollution. Therefore present investigation was under taken to assess the magnitude of sewage pollution by monitoring key water quality parameters dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, alkalinity, calcium, nitrates and phosphates etc. Monthly water samples were collected from three different sampling stations. Low Dissolved oxygen and high biological oxygen demand, elevated Nitrates and Phosphates levels were found, which gives the information about conversion of this water body from oligotrophic to eutrophic nature. Phosphates were found to be in the range of 0.9 to 4.0 mg/L. Nitrates were found to be higher in Pandu Lake and their number is more in summer, and suitable explanation was given. Nitrates were found to be in range between 24.8 mg/L to 71.2mg/L. Data on various chemical characteristics vary at different sites in different months in Pandu Lake. Some of the characteristics like Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, Nitrates, Phosphates and nutrient loading are contributing to eutrophication process in this lake and the lake seems to be eutrophic through out the year.