Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF DYE AR-97 ON DEVELOPING EMBRYOS OF CIRRHINUS MRIGALA

Pankaj Patial and Arvinder Kaur

Abstract

Effect of azo dye AR-97 on embryos of Cirrhinus mrigala was studied by static bioassay tests with daily renewal of test water. Embryos were exposed at early blastula stage and 96 hour LC50 of dye was worked out to be 31.51 mgL-1. An increase in hatching time was observed with increase in concentration of dye. Maximum hatching time was 17.50 hours in control water and 38 hours in 50 mgL-1 concentrations of dye. In higher concentrations of dye hatchlings could not break the egg membrane and died unhatched. Hatchlings showed abnormalities like curved tail, ruptured yolk sac and improper development of head, eyes and tail. Percentage occurrence of abnormalities in hatchings increased with increasing concentrations of dye. Behavioral changes like restlessness, erratic movement, lateral swimming and hanging intensity were observed in hatchlings. SAR values of dye shows that dye in concentration higher than 1.939 mgL-1 is not safe for disposal. This study necessitates the treatment of dye before release into water bodies.