Histological alterations in the hepatic tissues of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles exposed freshwater fish Oreochromis...

Adverse effects of nanoparticles on aquatic environment and organisms have drawn much special attention to many researches. Aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃-NPs) have potential uses in varied fields and are seen entering into the ecosystem. Their potential toxicity to the freshwater fish is not much studied. Hence this study was framed to investigate the effect Al₂O₃ NPs on freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus in terms of sub lethal toxicity, histological changes and hepato somatic index (HSI) under laboratory conditions. Fishes were exposed to varying concentrations of Al₂O₃ NPs for 96hr. LC₅₀ value was found to be in between 235 and 245ppm. The findings of the present work showed that the NPs were accumulated in the fish liver and caused major histological anomalies such as structural alterations in the portal vein, necrotic hepatocytes, vacuolation, aggregation of blood cells and melanomacrophages. Significant histological alterations were observed in the highest concentration. Our results evidenced that the Al₂O₃ NPs in the aquatic environment affects the health condition of the fishes.