Acute Toxicity Assessment of Sodium Arsenite in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Under Ideal Physico- Chemical Conditions

Arsenic is ubiquitously prevalent metalloid contaminant released in the aquatic environment as a consequence of geogenic and anthropogenic activities. After West Bengal, Bihar has emerged as a new hotspot for arsenic toxicity in India. Presence of arsenic in groundwater and soil in various forms has been a matter of concern for the scientific community globally. The present study aims to assess the median lethal concentration (LC50) for sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) in Danio rerio (zebrafish). Healthy fish were procured from Ashish Aquarium Traders, Howrah, India, acclimated in the laboratory for 15 days in ideal laboratory condition and fed ad libitum. Following a range finding test for arsenic, a set of doses were administered to the fish for 24h, 48h, 72h and 96h. The LC50 for each assessment period was separately determined using probit regression analysis and later confirmed by pilot test. The24h, 48h, 72h and 96h LC50were determined as 45mg/L, 44mg/L, 41mg/L and 39mg/L respectively. Since there is great similarity in genome of zebrafish and humans, the finding of the present acute toxicity study may be interpreted for the humans.

Keywords:- Acute Toxicity, Anthropogenic, Danio Rerio, Geogenic, LC50, Physic-Chemical, Probit Regression, Sodium Arsenite.