Sublethal effect of the dispersant Goldcrew on selected blood parameters of the African cat-fish Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

Selected hematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus exposed to sublethal concentrations of the dispersant goldcrew were measured weekly for four consecutive weeks under a static renewal condition in order to simulate possible effects of clean-up operations in the aquatic environment. Hemoglobin (Hb) hematocrit (PCV), red blood cell count (RBCC), white blood cell count (WBCC), and platelet values were 15.40–13.58 g dL⁻¹, 42.36–36.38%, 5.50–4.09 × 10² L⁻¹, 6.22–6.62 × 10² L⁻¹ and 362.87–283.0 × 10⁹, respectively, from week 1 to week 4. Duration of exposure had a marked significance (p < 0.05) on all blood parameters except WBCC. Also, Hb, PCV, RBCC, and platelet had values of 15.80–13.27 g dL⁻¹, 24.12–35.52%, 5.17–4.0 × 10² L⁻¹, 5.69–6.85 × 10⁹ L⁻¹, and 395.25–227.25 × 10, respectively, from control to maximum treatment levels. Exposure concentrations have a significant impact (p < 0.05) on all blood parameters. It may be concluded that Goldcrew has a marked negative effect on fish blood and therefore a need to observe restraint in its usage.

Keywords:

• Goldcrew
• blood hematology
• Clarias gariepinus