Effects on lethal concentration 50 % hematological parameters and plasma components of Starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus exposed to hexavalent chromium.

Starry flounders (Platichthys stellatus, mean weight 105 ± 14 g, mean total length 20.2 ± 0.7 cm) were exposed to hexavalent chromium concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg Cr^6 +/L for 96 hours. The half-lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of P. stellatus induced by acute exposure to waterborne hexavalent chromium for 96 hours was found to be 58.84 mg Cr⁶⁺/L. In hematological parameters, red blood cell counts (RBCs), hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Major plasma components also changed significantly due to exposure to waterborne hexavalent chromium. Calcium in plasma inorganic components significantly increased, and glucose and cholesterol in plasma organic components also showed significant increases (P < 0.05). Plasma enzyme components such as AST, ALT and ALP were significantly increased (P < 0.05) at high levels of waterborne hexavalent chromium exposure. The results of this study suggest that acute exposure to waterborne hexavalent chromium in P. stellatus affects survival rates, hematological properties and plasma components.