Impact of anthropogenic stressors with special reference to organochlorine pesticide pollution on Mugil cephalus L. in the areas of Kadinamkulam Estuary, South India

Estuaries are the important components of natural environment. To study the impact of anthropogenic stressors with special reference to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) pollution, the fish Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 were collected in the summer season from the selected stations (coir retting and non- retting) of Kadinamkulam estuary, South India. The results of the study show decline in total proteins, glycogen and lipid content compared to that of the fishes in no retting station. The organochlorine pesticides residues (α- BHC, δ -BHC, DDT and DDE) are detected in the fish tissues like liver and muscles and the concentrations of OCPs are above the permissible limits of FDA (2001)7. Changes in the biomarkers of fishes in the study area may be due to the stress generated by the pollutants released from retting process and other anthropogenic activities near the Kadinamkulam estuary. The pesticides residues detected in fish tissue may be due to the bioaccumulation as large amount pesticides were used in the nearby agricultural fields that can enter the Kadinamkulam lake through runoff water and also from Vamanapuram river. Therefore, the study vividly points out that the fishes in Kadinamkulam estuary were subjected to pollution stress and contamination with organochlorine pesticides.