Copper induced modulation on the activity of gill ATPases in fingerlings of freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus

Heavy metals occur in aquatic systems from natural sources and anthropogenic activities. The pollution of aquatic environment by heavy metals affects aquatic organisms and poses considerable environmental risks and concerns. The gills are one of the vital organs which come into direct contact with water and are indicative of any environmental stress. Preliminary toxicity tests were carried out to find the median lethal tolerance limit of experimental fishes to copper for 96 hours. The LC50 was found to be 12 mg/L. One-tenth (1.2 mg/L) was taken as the sublethal concentration for the study. The fishes were maintained for a period of 14 days in sublethal concentration. Experiment was conducted using sublethal and toxicologically safe concentration. The present study would decipher the effect of heavy metal copper on the modulations in the activity of gill ATPases in fingerlings of freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus.