STUDY ON TOXICITY OF LEAD CHLORIDE (PBCL2) ON MYSTUS CAVASIUS FROM MULA-MUTHA RIVER, PUNEDNYANDEO GORAKHE AND NAVNATH CHANDANSHIVEAbstract Heavy metals above the permissible limit are toxic to the aquatic organisms. They can accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms, especially in bottom-feeding fish and cause various dangerous effects which can be harmful to humans too. The present study was carried out to assess the behavioural responses and survival rate of air breathing fish Mystus cavasius to exposure of lead chloride. Behavioural effects are important in the assessment of risk from chemical exposure in the environment. The 96h LC50 values determined using Litchfield and Wilcoxon graphical method. Various behavioural and physiological changes were observed in M. cavasius. Also the survival rate was seen to be decreased with increased concertation of lead chloride. Therefore it can be concluded that Mystus cavasius is sensitive to higher concentration of lead chloride. |