Coal mine effluent-induced metal bioaccumulation, biochemical, oxidative stress, metallothionein, and histopathological alterations in vital tissues of the catfish, Clarias batrachus

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2021-05, Vol.28 (20), p.25300-25315
• Main Authors: Lakra, Kalpana Chhaya, Banerjee, Tarun Kumar, Lal, Bechan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alanine; alanine transaminase; Alkaline phosphatase; Animal tissues; Animals; Antioxidants; Aquatic Pollution; aspartate transaminase; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioaccumulation; Biochemistry; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - metabolism; brain; Catalase; Catfish; Catfishes - metabolism; Clarias batrachus; Coal; Coal mines; Coal Mining; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Effluents; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Exposure; Fish; Gills; Gills - metabolism; Heavy metals; Histopathology; human health; Kidneys; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipids; Liver; Liver - metabolism; Metal concentrations; Metallothionein; Metallothionein - metabolism; Metals, Heavy - metabolism; Muscles; Nutrient deficiency; Nutritive value; Oxidative Stress; Peroxidation; pollution; Pollution index; Research Article; risk; Superoxide dismutase; toxic substances; Toxicants; Toxicity; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12381-3

In the present study, a multi-biomarker approach was used to assess the toxicity of the coal mine effluent (CME) generated at the Rajrappa coal mine on the catfish Clarias batrachus . A core of biomarkers indicative of nutritional value, oxidative stress, and histopathology was selected to illustrate the toxic effects of CME-containing different heavy metals and other toxicants. The results of metal bioaccumulation in CME-exposed fish tissues revealed the highest metal concentration in liver (1.34–297.68 mg/kg) while lowest in muscles (1.47–23.26 mg/kg) as compared to other tissues and so was the metallothionein level. The high value of bioaccumulation observed in liver, kidney, and gills reflects their affinity for metals. In addition, the values of metal pollution index (MPI) of different fish tissues further affirmed that liver followed by kidney and gills are at greater risk than brain, skin, and muscles. Significant alterations in the activity of certain enzymes (aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase) as well as oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipid peroxidation) were detected in the tissues of CME-exposed fish. The tissue-specific metal accumulation and increased metallothionein levels may be associated with the biochemical and physiological activity of an organ and its constitutive antioxidant defenses. The histopathological changes in the various tissues of the CME-exposed fish justify the high metal accumulation and biochemical alterations. Overall results indicate that the Rajrappa coal mine effluent is very toxic having adverse health impact on the fish and might also affect the human health when consumed.