2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part C

This study investigates the impact of four commonly used pesticides Malathion, Endosulfan, Chlorpyrifos, and Cartap Hydrochloride on the respiratory physiology of Channa marulius. The fish were exposed to different pesticide concentrations (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) for 24 hours, and their oxygen consumption, ventilation frequency, and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were measured. The results revealed significant physiological stress as indicated by decreased oxygen consumption, reduced ventilation frequency, and lowered RER with increasing pesticide concentrations. At the highest concentrations, oxygen consumption dropped, and ventilation frequency was significantly reduced, suggesting impaired respiratory function. The RER also decreased across all groups, indicating a shift from aerobic to anaerobic respiration. While all pesticides caused similar trends, Malathion and Endosulfan showed milder effects compared to Chlorpyrifos and Cartap Hydrochloride, which caused more severe disruptions. These findings highlight the toxicological effects of pesticide exposure on aquatic organisms and emphasize the need for more stringent regulation of pesticide use to protect aquatic ecosystems from contamination and long-term ecological harm.