Genotoxic Effect of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Treated Tannery Effluent on Zebrafish Danio rerio

The present study deals with the genotoxic effect of iron oxide nanoparticles treated tannery effluent on zebrafish Danio rerio. The chemical co-precipitation method was used for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles which were characterized by SEM, EDAX, XRD, FTIR and VSM. Physico-chemical characteristics of tannery effluent were also estimated. Iron oxide nanoparticles were used as nano-adsorbents in reducing the toxic substances present in tannery effluent. Behavioural studies and genotoxic effect on zebrafish exposed to different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles treated tannery effluent and control (raw tannery effluent) were carried out. Biochemical composition such as protein, carbohydrate and lipid were estimated in the muscles and gills of zebrafish on 14th day after exposure. SEM images of iron oxide nanoparticles were observed at 5 μm and 10 μm which were spherical. EDAX spectrum recorded on synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles was identified in 7 peaks. FT-IR spectrum of iron oxide nanoparticles was analysed in the range of 500-4000 cm-1 and spectral bands were observed. Physico-chemical parameters of treated tannery effluent were decreased as the different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles increased. 200, 225 and 250 ppm treated tannery effluent were selected for median lethal concentration. No mortality was found in both control and iron oxide nanoparticles treated tannery effluent. The number of micronuclei was increased with increasing concentration of iron oxide nanoparticles when compared to control. Biochemical characteristics such as protein, carbohydrate and lipid in muscle and gills of zebrafish were higher in T2 (225ppm) than control and other concentrations. From this, it can be concluded that iron oxide nanoparticles can be used as nano-adsorbent in treating tannery effluent for effective removal of toxic substances.