Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

Neha Upreti ¹, Shweta Sharma ², Subhasini Sharma ², K. P. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 004, IN

Abstract

Aluminium and fluoride were found toxic to phytoplankton, periphyton and zooplankton in the microcosms raised in the greenhouse. The toxicity of aluminium was relatively higher than fluoride, more particularly, during winter season. There were significant reduction in counts of phytoplankton (49-80%), periphyton (algae = 40-68%, zooplankton = 35-75%) and zooplankton (5-77%) in the treatments in comparison to controls. As a result, Reciprocal Simpson index, Equitability index and Shannon- Weiner index decreased. Such changes will affect energy flow in the microcosms.

Keywords

Aluminum, Fluoride, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton, Microcosms.

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Shraddha Jain ¹, Shweta Sharma ², Aruna Rajawat ¹, Neha Upreti ¹, Subhasini Sharma ², K. P. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 055, Rajasthan, IN
2 Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302 055, Rajasthan, IN

Abstract

During acute toxicity study of aluminium fluoride, Daphnia similis L. was found to be the most sensitive organism (EC₅₀ = 108.06 ppm) followed by Gambusia affinis Baird and Gerard (LC₅₀ = 354.0 ppm) and Lemna aequinoctialis L. (EC₅₀ for chlorophyll = 358.7ppm). The exposure (60 days) of producers and consumers at its sub-lethal concentration (35.4 ppm) casted toxic effects on them in artificial microcosms raised in the greenhouse. There was reduction in chlorophyll content (19-39%), dry weight (16%), acid phosphatase (ACP) (56%), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (14%) and protein content (53%) of Ceratophyllum demersum L. The reduction in species richness (40%) and phytoplankton counts (counts = 47-54%) was significant during the study period while zooplankton counts (30%) in the first half of the study (day-30). Snail mortality was found nil while that of fish was moderate (37%). Their tissue biochemistry (ACP, ALP and protein content) was, however, altered significantly suggesting them to be under stress. AlF₃ also had cytotoxic effects in fish decreasing RBC counts (19%) and causing morphological abnormalities. From these findings, we conclude that there are significant toxic effects of aluminium fluoride to organisms in the food web of aquatic ecosystems.

Keywords

Acute and Chronic Toxicity, Aluminum Fluoride, Microcosm, Plankton, Snail, Fish.

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