Structural alterations accompanying acute and chronic toxicity of heavy metal exposure in hepatopancreas of green mussel <i>Perna viridis</i> (Class-Pelycypoda)

Abstract

The hepatopancreas of Perna viridis exposed to various concentrations of copper and mercury were fixed in Bouin's fluid and stained using Tripple Mallory's stain. Structural alterations noted varied from-vacuolisation in cells in various degrees, enlargement of lumen following atrophy of cells lining the digestive tubules, disintegration of collagenous and muscular layer and enlargement of cell volume leading to decrease in number of cells/unit area. Another notable feature was the dibasic nature of mercury irrespective of period of exposure. Results of this experiment indicate that exposure of these animals to low levels of heavy metal pollutants irrespective of the time period can produce very serious damages at cellular level which can topple the normal physiological functioning of the cells.