Physiochemical and histological studies on the effect of some pollutants on fish and water of El-Garraf river

Abstract

This observation designed to measure some physiochemical parameters in samples of fresh water selected from El-Garraf river (one branch of Tigris river at Al –Kout city) to evaluate water quality and fish safety for human consumption.Samples were collected from three area of the river. pH, temperature, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)and the concentration of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, Lead, Cadmium and mercury were also measured. Ninteen fish (Cyprinus carpio) were also collected from the similar areas of the river, specimens of gills, liver, kidney, gonads and intestine were taken for macropathlogical and histological studies.The results of physiochemical parameters of the present study were within the normal range of EPA standard of the rivers,the concentration of ammonia, nitrate and nitrite were above the permissible level based on WHO safety of the rivers ,the obtained results of heavy metals indicated that water of river also polluted with Pb and Cd. Gross findings showed many abnormal alteration in gills and gonads of some fish studied.Several histological changes was also observed in gills represented by thickness of lamella, congestion and presence of area of hyperplasia with accumulation of mucus. Hepatic blood vessels of some fish showed dilation and haemorrhage as well as presence of necrosis and inflammatory cells within the blood vessels. Histopathological findings of intestine of some fish reavled degenerative and necrotic area of some lining mucosal epithelium and sloughing of the lining epithelium