Indian J. Applied & Pure Bio. Vol. 37(2), 499-506 (2022).Serum protein levels of Channa striata (Murrel) exposed to coal dust /ash of Godavari Khani (Telangana)
D. Krishna and B. Neeraja*
Department of Zoology, University College for Women, Hyderabad-500095 (India) *Corresponding author email: neerajaucw21@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Coal dust and coal ash are coal pollutants emanating from Godavari Khani, of Telangana. These pollutants, which are effluents formed as result of extensive mining of coal fields, of Ramagundam, thermal power plant, have greatly impacted the local environment. The waters of the local river, Godavari and the surrounding areas have been consistently reporting degradation of air and water quality. Quite a number of studies on coal pollution, have reported that coal contaminated air and water has a deep impact upon human health apart from causing deterioration of surrounding flora and fauna. Though this has been a age old problem, of this area, not many systematic studies, have been conducted, to explain or reveal the physiological impacts about coal pollution. The present study was undertaken to study the serum protein levels, serum albumin and serum globulin in the blood of Channa striata, (murrel) a common fish from local waters. Fish were captured and maintained under laboratory conditions, and were exposed to different concentrations of coal dust and coal ash (0.5%, 1%, 2%).after the experimental period of seven days, the blood was collected from the different groups of fish and serum proteins, serum albumin were estimated and calculated. Our results, showed a significant decline in the protein levels when compared to that of the control fish. Analysis of variance was done (ANOVA) to know the level of significance. Our results were significant at P< 0.01. This study clearly demonstrates that coal ash and coal dust even in small concentrations, greatly impact the protein levels in the blood suggesting liver damage.