LC50 Dependent Safe Concentration of Sodium Arsenate against Crustacean Freshwater Crab, Barytelphusa cunicularis (Westwood in Sykes, 1836)

Aim/Background: The study investigates the toxic impact of inorganic arsenic compound (sodium arsenate) on the freshwater crab Barytelphusa cunicularis. Sodium arsenate is a widely used chemical in various applications including insecticides, rodenticides, herbicides, antibacterial agents, and dye manufacturing, which can contaminate aquatic and terrestrial environments. Materials and Methods: The research conducted lethal concentration (LC₅₀) tests using sodium arsenate on Barytelphusa cunicularis, analyzing the toxic effects at different exposure durations (24, 48, 72, and 96 hr). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS with a 95% confidence level to determine the lethal and safe concentrations. Results: The LC₅₀ values were found to be: 24 hr: 675.60 (645.96-38825) ppm, 48 hr: 657.32 (633.35-4062.70) ppm, 72 hr: 621.85 (605.32-645.02) ppm, 96 hr: 605.41 (589.92-615.39) ppm. The safe concentration for sodium arsenate was determined to be 186.68 ppm. Conclusion: The differentiation between mean LC₅₀ values and safe concentration provides insights for developing conservative strategies to protect economically important crustacean species like Barytelphusa cunicularis from arsenic toxicity.