author(s)
Dr. Rekha Rani and Shruti Mishra

abstract
Water, crucial for human survival, faces constant degradation due to the release of various pollutants like pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, pesticides, and human activities. Present study observed behavioural and haematological changes in freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio, after exposure to a sublethal concentration of Ibuprofen. To assess the impact of ibuprofen, the LC₅₀ was calculated at different time intervals ie 24 hrs, 48 hrs, 72 hrs, and 96 hr. Lethal concentration was observed 0.23 ml/L. Further investigation involved administering a sublethal concentration of ibuprofen 1/10^th of LC₅₀, i.e., 0.023 ml/L to the fish. After exposure to over 7, 14, 21, and 28 days in treated four sets, significant behavioural alterations in C. carpio were observed. Haematological parameters as RBC count, haemoglobin levels, and haematocrit percentage, decreased significantly (p<0.05), while WBC count, MCH, and MCHC values increased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the control group. MCV values remained unchanged, possibly indicating RBC destruction due to Ibuprofen-induced stress. This research suggests that aquatic organisms, sharing physiological similarities with humans, can serve as models for understanding the impact of contaminants on human health. It highlights the potential consequences of pharmaceutical pollutant exposure to organisms in water bodies, with implications for human health.