TOXIC EFFECTS OF SODIUM LAURYL SULPHATE ON RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY AND GILL STRUCTURE IN AMBLYPHARYNGODON MELETTINUS
Author: Dr. Jilna Alex N.
Dr. Jilna Alex N.: Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, Little Flower College, Guruvayoor, India.
ABSTRACT
The materials released from farms, industrial sites, and urban drainage have significantly harmed water quality and disrupted aquatic habitats. Numerous chemicals display acute toxicity to aquatic life, while some, despite being less immediately dangerous, are very persistent and bioaccumulative, leading to prolonged physiological and ecological harm. The current study examined the harmful effects of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate on the respiratory functions and gill anatomy of Amblypharyngodon melettinus. The study analysed physiological changes in breathing rate, histological variations in gill tissues, and the degree of respiratory damage induced by various concentrations of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. The current study clearly shows that exposure to sub-lethal levels of SLS has a significant impact on the respiratory physiology and biochemical makeup of Amblypharyngodon melettinus. The noted rise in mouth opening frequency and opercular movement suggests respiratory distress, whereas the decrease in oxygen consumption rate indicates compromised metabolic function. The research further validates that Sodium Lauryl Sulphate causes both structural and functional impairments in fish gills. The histological alterations, including lamellar fusion, epithelial hypertrophy, and necrosis, result in diminished gas exchange efficiency and lower oxygen absorption. Moreover, the reduction in muscle protein levels indicates a disturbance in biochemical functions and heightened metabolic requirements under toxic stress situations. These results highlight that the ongoing discharge of detergents with SLS into water ecosystems significantly endangers aquatic wildlife, especially fish species dependent on gill function for their survival. Recognizing these effects in Amblypharyngodon melettinus is essential, as it offers fundamental information for evaluating detergent toxicity in freshwater environments and emphasizes the necessity for sustainable cleaning options and enhanced wastewater treatment strategies.
Keywords: Amblypharyngodon melettinus, Fish gills, Respiratory impairment, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate.