Hexavalent chromium: Toxicity and impact on carbohydrate metabolism and haematological parameters of carp (Cyprinus carpio L) from Saudi Arabia

The effect of hexavalent chromium on the carp, Cyprinus carpio was assessed using static bioassay. The 96h LC(50) was found to be 93.6 mg . l(-1). In carp exposed to sublethal concentrations of chromium (15 and 25 mg . l(-1)), significant depletion of liver and muscle glycogen and decreasing leucocyte counts were recorded during prolonged exposure and with increasing concentration of chromium. The other blood parameters examined (haemoglobin, erythrocyte count, hematocrit, serum protein, serum glucose) increased similarly during exposure to two chromium concentrations.