The effect of pesticides on fish fauna of Bhopal lower lake (M. P.)

Abstract

Studies on the toxicity of common pesticides and some industrial pollutants on fishes have been reviewed. Pollutants such as pesticides cause diseases, behavioral abnormalities, cancer and gene mutations in fishes. Physiological malformation, histological, hematological and biochemical changes have also been observed in fishes. Pesticides significantly affect the early life stages of fishes. Toxic effects of pesticides vary in different organs of the fish. Liver, gill, kidney are tissues that can accumulate high level of pollutants as well as other factors, such as salinity temperature, hardness, etc.

Key words: Bhopal lower lake, fishes, pesticides, toxicity.