Influence of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate on some serum electrolytes of <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Burchell 1822) juveniles

Abstract

One hundred and fifty juveniles of C. gariepinus (mean weight 246.30± 14.12g SD/mean length 16.15±1.40cm SD) were exposed to 5 chronic levels (10.00, 20.00, 30.00, 40.00 and 50.00 mg/l.) of Linear alkyl benzene Sulphonate for 30 days to assess the effect on biochemical parameters. Electrolytes activities increased with the increase in detergent concentration in all the tissues under consideration, except Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cl^- in the gill; Clin the kidney; Cl^- and HCO₃^- in the muscle and liver. The magnitude of alteration in the plasma biochemical parameters were evidently greater in the gill and kidney. This study concludes that Linear alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS), even at safe doses, are quite potent to manifest biochemical crisis in fish and that all the electrolytic indices used are viable bioindicators for detergent toxicity in fish.

Keywords: detergent, serum electrolytes, bioindicators, clarias