Levels of Biochemical Constituents of Fish Associated with Water Dispersed Fractions of Used Automobile Lubricants

Abstract

The effects of sublethal concentrations of water-dispersed fractions of used automobile lubricant (Mobil oil ® SAE 50) on some biochemical constituents in fish were investigated under laboratory conditions. The fish exposed was Tilapia zilli (mean weight: 7.15 ±,0.01 g), the sublethal concentrations were 125.00, 62.50, 31.25, 15.63, 7.81, and 0.00 ppm and the exposure period was 10 weeks. There was no mortality in the exposed fish throughout the exposure period; however, the biochemical constituents investigated revealed that the various concentrations led to physiological impairment in the fish, which was directly proportional to concentration and exposure period. Severely reduced feed intake was observed in fish exposed to concentrations of 62.50 and 125.00 ppm. Depletion in protein and lipid reserves, anemia and hyperglycemia were observed in all exposed fish. The implications of water dispersed fractions of used automobile lubricants in the aquatic environment and their effects on fish biodiversity are discussed.

Keywords:

• Automobile Lubricants
• Tilapia zilli
• Water dispersed fractions
• Biochemical Constituents

Notes

^aValues in parenthesis are standard errors of mean of three replicates.

^aValues in parenthesis are standard errors of mean of three replicates.

^aValues in parenthesis are standard errors of mean of three replicates.