The aim of this study was to investigate the
potential impact of effluent released during metals extraction
from polymetallic sea nodules at the Pilot Plant at
National Metallurgical Laboratory, India, by analysing
different metal (Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cr) concentrations
in six tissues (skin, muscles, gills, liver, kidney and brain)
of the fish
Labeo rohita
. Of the six analysed tissues of seanodule-
effluent-exposed fish, liver accumulated highest
concentration of most of the metals (2.91–287.36
mg kg
-1) while muscles (2.1–81.14 mg kg
-1) lowest.
While the concentration of Fe was maximum
(60.41–218.7 mg kg
-1) in all the tissue systems (except
muscles and liver), Pb was minimum (0.8–2.91 mg kg
-1).
Accumulation of most of the metals in all the tissues was
above the safe limits as recommended by Food and Agricultural
Organisation that indicate metal’s potential hazardous
impact on the fish. High bioaccumulation factors for
these metals in the different tissues revealed that metals
were extensively bio accumulated and bio concentrated.
The time-dependent variation in metal pollution index
illustrated increase in gross metal load (
p < 0.05) in different
tissue components with increase in exposure period.
In conclusion, the sea nodule effluent was found to cause
adverse health impact on the fish which in turn might also
affect the human health when consumed.
