Response of Clarias gariepinus (juveniles) Exposed to Sub- lethal Concentrations of Atrazine

Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate the toxicity effects of atrazine onClarias gariepinus juveniles. C. gariepinus were purchased from Fish Farm in Akureand acclimated prior to toxicity tests for seven days in concrete tanks. The fisheswere fed with commercial feed twice daily and stopped 24hrs to thecommencement of the toxicity test. Different concentrations of atrazine wereprepared (0.00, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 ml/L) in triplicate. Fifteen (15) C.gariepinus juveniles (20±0.6 g and 15.15±0.5 cm) were randomly distributed into3 each glass tank (60 x 30 x 40 cm ) containing ten litres of treatment concentrations.Mortality, water parameters (DO2, pH, Temp and Conductivity) etc. were monitoredat regular time interval (24, 48, 72 and 96 hours). Also, enzymes activities(Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and LactateDehydrogense (LDH)) in fish exposed to atrazine were also measuredThere was fluctuation in the values of water parameters with abnormalbehaviours increased with increasing concentration of atrazine across thetreatment groups. The LC50 was 0.183ml/l for 96 hours exposure period. Therewere significant (P