Impact of cadmium chloride’s toxicity on oxygen consumption in an air breathing teleost Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Abstract

Metabolic demand of oxygen maintained by the utilization of dissolved oxygen from aquatic medium by respiratory organs in piscian fauna. Heteropneustes fossilis is an air breathing teleost are able to use dissolved oxygen in water through gills and atmospheric oxygen through its accessory respiratory organs known as suprabranchial chamber and air sacs. Contamination of heavy metal, cadmium chloride through industrial discharge in water body, produce histological alteration and toxicological impact on gills and accessory respiratory organs which decrease the efficiency of oxygen consumption and leads serious threat for survival of fish. By acquiring the effect of toxic pollutant in aquatic medium, its discharge into nearby water resources may be regulated to protect aquatic life and its effect on the human consumption.