Histological alterations in the hepatic tissues of Al2O3 nanoparticles exposed freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus

Adverse effects of nanoparticles on aquatic environment and organisms have drawn much special attention to many researches. Aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3-NPs) have potential uses in varied fields and are seen entering into the ecosystem. Their potential toxicity to the freshwater fish is not much studied. Hence this study was framed to investigate the effect Al2O3 NPs on freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus in terms of sub lethal toxicity, histological changes and hepato somatic index (HSI) under laboratory conditions. Fishes were exposed to varying concentrations of Al2O3 NPs for 96hr. LC50 value was found to be in between 235 and 245 ppm. The findings of the present work showed that the NPs were accumulated in the fish liver and caused major histological anomalies such as structural alterations in the portal vein, necrotic hepatocytes, vacuolation, aggregation of blood cells and melanomacrophages. Significant histological alterations were observed in the highest concentration. Our results evidenced that the Al2O3 NPs in the aquatic environment affects the health condition of the fishes.