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Analysis Study Research Paper | Zoology | India | Volume 13 Issue 3, March 2024

Toxicological Effects of Cobalt on Freshwater Fish Channa punctatus (Bloch.)

Saroj Kumari

Abstract: Cobalt serves as a crucial micronutrient for diverse organisms; however, an overabundance of cobalt can have detrimental effects on aquatic life, particularly fish. Channa punctatus, commonly referred to as the "Northern snakehead" or "Spotted snakehead, " is a freshwater fish species inhabiting various aquatic environments in India. Cobalt is a transition metal widely used in various industrial applications, and its presence in aquatic environments poses a potential threat to aquatic organisms. This paper investigates the toxicological effects of cobalt exposure on Channa punctatus (Bloch.), and understanding the toxicological effects of cobalt for effective environmental management and conservation efforts. The study investigated the impact of different concentrations of cobalt chloride (30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 ppm) on freshwater fish Channa punctatus (Bloch.) over a 96 - hour period. The lethal concentration LC50 was determined to be 340 ppm. Micronuclei (MN) in fish erythrocytes were observed to detect cytogenetic abnormalities, with MN frequencies showing significant increases across varying dose levels. These alterations have the potential to disrupt vital physiological functions such as respiration, osmotic and ionic regulation, nitrogenous waste excretion and absorption, as well as storage and secretion of various enzymes, ultimately impacting the survival and growth of Channa punctatus. The findings strongly indicate that even low concentrations of cobalt chloride (in ppm) are toxic and significantly disrupt major hematological, biochemical, and tissue structures in fishes. Therefore, proactive measures should be taken to prevent cobalt chloride from exceeding permissible limits in aquatic environments to mitigate its detrimental effects.

Keywords: Cobalt, Channa punctatus, Freshwater fish, Toxicity, Oxidative stress, Histopathology, Biomarkers

Edition: Volume 13 Issue 3, March 2024,

Pages: 763 - 767