Biochemical Alteration in the Labeo rohita Tissues Following Exposure to the Effluent Generated during Extraction of Metals from Polymetallic Sea Nodules

Abstract

Effect of the effluent generated during extraction of precious metals from polymetallic sea nodules have been illustrated by analyzing the biochemical alterations in freshwater fish Labeo rohita. Increase or decrease in the different biomolecules in various tissues (skin, muscles, gills, liver, kidney, and brain) observed was discussed in the light of stress caused by exposures of this effluent. Decrease in concentration of glycogen, total lipids, cholesterol, and total protein in most of the tissues indicate their role in providing the continuous energy requirement under toxic stress in the exposed fish. Reduced DNA and RNA concentration in exposed fish showed effluent toxic effect on DNA synthesis and transcriptional level. With the prolongation of exposure, reduction in activities of aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, and alkaline phosphatase were observed in all the exposed tissues indicating their cellular degeneration. In conclusion, the sea nodule effluent was found to be very toxic and have negative health impact on the fish. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.