Hepatic Toxicity in Etroplus suratensis (Bloch 1790): An Economically Important Edible Fish in Vembanad Fresh Water Lake, Kerala, India

Fish consumption from contaminated water-bodies is a serious health issue. This study conducted to reveal the presence of heavy metals and bisphenols in Vembanad lake, an exploiting tourist spot in Kerala, receiving untreated agricultural, domestic, municipal, and industrial effluents. We evaluated aquatic contaminant impact on hepatic stress markers in Etroplus suratensis from fragile Vembanad lake. The significant difference in water physiochemical parameters, the concentration of heavy metals, and bisphenols (BPA and BPS) were studied. Hepatic tissue of E. suratensis inhabited in lake featured with high iron (11.29 ± 0.39 ppm) and BPA (0.02412 ± 0.0031 µg/mL) content along with an increased hepatic stress marker and distorted hepatic structure. The study highlights the presence of high iron and BPA in edible fish. The study recommends monitoring of physiochemical characters of freshwater lakes is essential for better survival of freshwater flora and fauna.