Bioaccumulation and elimination of endosulfan in zebra fish (Brachydanio rerio)

The bioaccumulation and elimination of endosulfan in zebra fish (Brachydanio rerio) were investigated in a semi‐static bioassay. The pesticide mean concentration in water was 0.3 μg litre−1 and the level of endosulfan residues (α‐+β‐isomers+endosulfan sulfate) in the exposed fish at day 21 was 0.81 (±0.12) μg g−1 body weight. The estimated value of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) was 2650 (±441), the total endosulfan residues being eliminated with a biological half‐life of four days. Histopathological studies showed predominantly lipid accumulation in the liver and necrotic focus in the gills of exposed fish.