Difenoconazole's Hidden Toll on River Fish

Difenoconazole, a common fungicide in farming, often ends up in rivers and streams. This can be bad news for fish. A recent study took a close look at how this chemical affects a type of fish called Pethia conchonius, found in the Teesta River. The study found that even small amounts of difenoconazole can harm fish. The researchers tested different amounts of the fungicide. They found that the fish started to show signs of stress and damage at very low levels. The fish's gills, which are like their lungs, showed serious damage. The tissue lifted, fused together, and even started to die in some cases. This makes it hard for the fish to breathe and can lead to other health problems. The study also looked at the fish's DNA. The researchers found that the fungicide caused significant damage to the DNA. The more difenoconazole the fish were exposed to, the worse the damage became. Enzymes that protect the fish from harm also took a hit. The activity of two important enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase, dropped significantly. This means the fish had a harder time fighting off the toxic effects of the fungicide. In short, difenoconazole is not just a problem for fungi. It can also cause serious harm to fish at a cellular level. This raises concerns about the use of such chemicals in agriculture and their impact on aquatic life.