Investigations on the acute toxicity and behavioural alterations induced by the organophosphate pesticide, chlorpyrifos on Puntius chola (Hamilton-Buchanan)

Chlorpyrifos, a broad spectrum organophosphate insecticide which is a common contaminant of urban streams, is highly toxic to fish causing fish mortality in waterways near treated fields and buildings. The acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos was investigated on the freshwater fish Puntius chola in a 96 h static laboratory bioassay. The 96 h LC50of chlorpyrifos is 0.219 ppm. Analysis of variance showed that there was significant difference (p<0.01) in the mortality of P. chola exposed to different concentrations of chlorpyrifos at 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of exposure.