Acute toxicity and effect of some petroleum hydrocarbon on the metabolic index in Etroplus suratensis

Abstract

Acute toxicity (LC@d50@@) and effect of some petroleum hydrocarbons (Toluene, Quinoline, Pyridine and Naphthalene) on the metabolic index (oxygen consumption rate) of an estuarine fish. @iEtroplus suratensis@@ is reported. The LC@d50@@ values were lowest for naphthalene, suggesting that this hydrocarbon is most toxic. The oxygen consumption reduced significantly after 6 hours in all the cases. The reduction in oxygen consumption was maximum in naphthalene, reaffirming its high toxic nature. Initially the oxygen consumption rate was high in the petroleum contaminated tanks than in the control. However, it slowly decreased afterwards with slowing down in fish movement.