Toxicological Effects of Microplastics Exposure on Puntius sophore: Hematological, Biochemical and Histopathological Assessments

IJEP 46(9): 900-906 : Vol. 46 Issue 9 (September 2026)

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S.M. Aritha, S. Sangeetha*, S. Koushikaa Shri and R. Kungumapriya

Pachaiyappa’s College, P.G. and Research Department of Zoology, Chennai – 600 030, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Microplastics are emerging pollutants in freshwater ecosystems, posing health risks to aquatic organisms. This study evaluated the acute and chronic effects of microplastic exposure on Puntius sophore collected from the river. Fish were exposed to selected microplastic doses for acute and chronic durations. Haematological parameters (RBC, WBC and hemoglobin), biochemical markers (liver) and histopathological changes in vital organs were evaluated. Microplastic exposure caused significant alterations in blood counts and biochemical markers, alongwith tissue damage, particularly in the liver. Effects were more pronounced under chronic exposure. These findings indicate that microplastics induce dose and duration-dependent physiological and histological disturbances in Puntius sophore, highlighting the ecological threat of microplastic pollution in freshwater environments.

Keywords

Microplastics, Puntius sophore, Acute exposure, Chronic exposure, Haematology, Histopathology, Biochemical markers

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