Effect of contact time on the acute toxicity of mercury to scale carp

The behaviour of metals in aquatic ecosystems is dependent on various environmental factors. Experiments were conducted in five different contact times (0.5, 2, 12, 24 and 48h) between soil sediment and mercury on Cyprinus carpio var communis. It was observed that contact time with soil sediment had significant effect in reducing the toxicity of mercury. Higher the time of contact, greater the effect. Medium hard water (150 mg/L CaC0 sub(3) of total hardness) had the highest effect as compared to other water in reducing the toxicity of mercury when combined with underlying soil sediment. With the increase in contact time, complexation and adsorption of inorganic mercury ions with the dissolved and particulate phases of water and soil sediment were increased; thereby bioaccumulation of mercury ions by scale carp was more. Applicability of the result of this experiment in natural ecosystems was also suggested

Arsenic level in the surface wastewaters of Kolkata and its implication on sewage-fed fisheries

Arsenic pollution is a major threat in eastern India and Bangladesh. In Kolkata, sewage-fed fishery is a very popular culture. Wastewater of Kolkata city is diluted with freshwater and used in sewage-fed fish ponds. In the present study the arsenic concentration in the surface wastewater from forty-four different places of southern, eastern, western and norther parts of Kolkata was estimated. In fifteen places, the arsenic level was higher than the allowed limit (0.20 mg/l). But the arsenic level in the waters, sediment of fish culture ponds and in fish flesh of sewage-fed fisheries of Kolkata was below the maximum limit. So, till date there is no threat from arsenic pollution to the sewage-fed fisheries of Kolkata

Not Available

Not AvailableIn India, the area under reservoir fisheries was estimated at about 4.03 million ha with over14,000 reservoirs. The area of small reservoirs( 5000 ha) in India is estimated to be 2.25 million ha. There are a total of 20 small reservoirs in 8 states of NE with an area of 3390.93 ha. The state has 6 medium reservoirs covering an area of 15598.34 ha. The region does not have any large reservoirs.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe behaviour of metals in the aquatic systems is dependent on various environmental factors. In the present study, effect of inorganic phosphorus on the acute toxicity of arsenic to common carp (Cyprinus carpio var communis) fry (Av. Length: 3.9 ± 0.5 cm and Av. Weight: 0.9 ± 0.20g) was studied. It was found that acute toxicity of inorganic arsenic was decreased with increasing level of phosphorous from 0.0 to 0.25 mg/L of phosphate. Increase in toxicity of arsenic was observed above 5.0 mg/L of phosphate. As the organic pollution of water bodies occurs when phosphate level crossed 0.5 mg/L, the optimum level of phosphate to reduce the acute toxicity of As would be 0.25 mg/L. The findings of this study would be useful to control the toxicity of inorganic arsenic in unregulated inland aquaculture which receives runoff waters from irrigated agricultural fields.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe effect of two hormones HCG and DES on the growth and maturation of the Indian river prawn, Macrobrachium malcolmsonii was evaluated. Juveniles of Macrobrachium malcolmsonii (average weight: 15.50±0.40 g for male and 13.90±0.10 g for female) were fed with prepared pelleted feed (25% protein) by incorporating Human -1Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) and Diethylstilbestrol (DES) at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg l concentrations respectively. -1After 105 days the prawn fed with HCG incorporated feed at 1.5 mg l showed maximum growth for both sexes (26.50 g for male and 24.25 g for female) and high percentage of maturity (80% for male and 90% for female). The weight increment at 1.5 mg l incorporated HCG pelleted feed was found to be higher (10.70 g for male and 10.25 g for female) -1compar ed to DES (10.25 g for male and 10.10 g for female). Feed incorporated with HCG and DES at 1.5 mg l can effectively be used in Macrobrachium malcolmsonii culture for promoting growth and early maturation.TANUVAS, T

Not Available

Not AvailableDue to multifarious stressor operating on the river Ganga, tremendous alteration have been registered in its discharge, velocity, substratum, quality of the abiotic and biotic parameters. Accordingly fishery of the river in general and that of the sensitive species in particular is facing serious threats from loss of habitats, barriers on migratory paths, loss of deep pools, drying of feeding and breeding grounds. Due to these aberrations the fish catch from the river Ganga has been declined, and loss of species diversity has been reported by many workers (Sarkar et al. 2011; Vass et al., 2010; Payne et al., 2004). Further, the deterioration in habitat conditions lead to depletion in sensitive native species and invasive of exotic fishes (Sarkar et al., 2011; Payne et al., 2004). Hence, the present study was carried out to reveal the appearance, invasion and establishment of hardy exotic fishes in the Ganga river system at Allahabad in view of the multiple stressors operating on the river.Not Availabl

Maturity, breeding cycle, and fecundity of Mastacembelus armatus (Actinopterygii: Synbranchiformes: Mastacembelidae) in the sub-tropical waters of the river Ganga

Background. The investigation on different aspects of the reproductive biology is valuable information in the development of breeding technologies towards initiating conservation and other management measures of the indigenous fish stocks. The zig-zag eel, Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepède, 1800), is a commercially important fish species in the river Ganga of India. But, the data on the reproductive biology of this species is limited. Hence, this study was done to gather information on some aspects of the reproductive biology of M. armatus to address the gap in the current knowledge. Materials and methods. Some biological traits relating to the reproduction of M. armatus from the river Ganga were studied based on the monthly sampling for one year from April 2015 to March 2016. A total of 286 fish specimens were collected, comprising 167 males and 119 females. Weight–length relations for both sexes were estimated with the aid of regression analysis. The fecundity was calculated following the gravimetric method. The length at 50% maturity (L50) for the male and female were assessed employing maturity status data. The spawning season was predicted by employing gonadosomatic index and maturity status data. Results. Monthly sex ratio (F ÷ M) ranging between 0.22 ÷ 1 and 2.75 ÷ 1 with a mean of 0.71 ÷ 1 observed in the population was significantly different from 1 ÷ 1. Analysis of mean monthly gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the existence of matured (IV and V) and spent (VI) individuals, indicated year-round spawning with two breeding seasons. The first breeding season, in the river Ganga, occurred between February and May, and the other between July and November. The L50 of Mastacembelus armatus female and male were determined as 362.2 and 385.6 mm total length (TL), respectively. The reproductive potential in terms of absolute fecundity ranged between 2546 and 6058 with a mean of 3962 ova. Conclusion. The current investigation helps to report the size at maturity in the female and the male for the first time from Indian waters. Mastacembelus armatus represents a low fecundity, indicating that this species has a comparatively lower reproductive potential, making it more vulnerable to excessive fishing pressure. For the sustainable management of this species, it is necessary to utilize the resources wisely and avoid overfishing in the river Ganga

Not Available

Not AvailableThe Kumbh is internationally famous as earth’s largest gathering of human kind. The Kumbh, 2013 held at Sangam, Allahabad was of 55 days during which over 100 million devotees took holy dip. Some water quality parameters - specific conductance, total dissolved solids, total hardness, dissolved organic matter and chloride in River Ganga at Allahabad was found to be lower during Kumbh than pre and post Kumbh. Microbial load in terms of TPC, Coliforms and E. coli was found to be lower during Kumbh than pre and post Kumbh. The Shanon-Weiner index (H’) of benthos varied from 1.7 to 1.81, 2.13 to 2.26 and 1.42 to 1.63 at before, during and after Kumbh. Chironomids and Tubifex dominated at pre and post Kumbh events. Planktonic abundances showed higher percentage of Myxophycea and Euglenophyceae during pre and post Kumbh than during Kumbh. Analysis of physico-chemical parameters, plankton, macrobenthic invertebrates and microbes suggests that environmental condition was better during Kumbh than pre and post Kumbh, might be due to restriction on the discharge of untreated waste and increased discharge and flow into the ‘Sangam’ from barrages upstream of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.Not Availabl

Safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce ileus after colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after elective colorectal surgery, and is associated with increased adverse events and prolonged hospital stay. The aim was to assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing ileus after surgery. Methods: A prospective multicentre cohort study was delivered by an international, student- and trainee-led collaborative group. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The primary outcome was time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite measure of bowel function and tolerance to oral intake. The impact of NSAIDs was explored using Cox regression analyses, including the results of a centre-specific survey of compliance to enhanced recovery principles. Secondary safety outcomes included anastomotic leak rate and acute kidney injury. Results: A total of 4164 patients were included, with a median age of 68 (i.q.r. 57\u201375) years (54\ub79 per cent men). Some 1153 (27\ub77 per cent) received NSAIDs on postoperative days 1\u20133, of whom 1061 (92\ub70 per cent) received non-selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. After adjustment for baseline differences, the mean time to gastrointestinal recovery did not differ significantly between patients who received NSAIDs and those who did not (4\ub76 versus 4\ub78 days; hazard ratio 1\ub704, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub796 to 1\ub712; P = 0\ub7360). There were no significant differences in anastomotic leak rate (5\ub74 versus 4\ub76 per cent; P = 0\ub7349) or acute kidney injury (14\ub73 versus 13\ub78 per cent; P = 0\ub7666) between the groups. Significantly fewer patients receiving NSAIDs required strong opioid analgesia (35\ub73 versus 56\ub77 per cent; P < 0\ub7001). Conclusion: NSAIDs did not reduce the time for gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery, but they were safe and associated with reduced postoperative opioid requirement