TOXICITY OF AFRICAN LOCUST BEAN PROCESSING INDUSTRY EFFLUENT TO FINGERLINGS OF NILE TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the toxicity of African locust bean effluent (Parkia bioglobosa) to Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) (Trewavas 1983) fingerlings and the effect of various concentrations on water quality. Static bioassay tests revealed that the 96 hr LCso of the effluent as 3.1mIlL. Degenerative changes were observed on the parenchymatous organs of test fishes. The liver and the gills were enlarged and were perforated while the gill lamellae were extensively fused. Haematological analyses also showed a drop in the haematocrit values, as the heamatocrit values of the control blood samples were significantly higher (PSO.05 from those of the treated blood samples and there were deformations in the blood cells. Water quality parameters monitored during the experiment showed no deviations from the control experiment. During the 96 hour sub-lethal test; fingerlings showed no mortality at concentration below 3ml/L of water and the behavioural responses exhibited by the fish showed unbalanced swimming patterns, loss of reflex and rapid opercula movements.