Anomalies in Cyprinus carpio Larvae Exposed to Paper Mill Effluent

Water pollution due to urbanization and industrialization are the major cause of decline in aquatic animal populations all over the world. Keeping in view the present study deals with the teratogenic influence of paper mill effluent in Cyprinus carpio larvae under laboratory conditions. Cyprinus carpio larvae were exposed to different concentrations (less than half of the LC50) of paper mill effluent to investigate the effects induced by the effluent. Control was run simultaneously along with all the experimental groups. Larvae were more sensitive after complete yolk sac absorption and increased mortality was observed during this phase. Common morphological abnormalities in hatchlings after exposure to the paper mill effluent include flexure of the larval axis, vertebral dysplasia, abnormalities in eyes such as single eye, microphthalmia, abnormality in the yolk sac and heart tube anomalies. Overall stunted growth was also recorded in the treatment groups depicting hazardous effect of paper mill effluent on larval stages of Cyprinus carpio.