In vivo accumulation and effects of mercuric chloride on tissue phosphatases of Notopterus notopterus.

Sublethal concentrations of mercuric chloride inhibited the liver, kidney and gill enzymes, acid, alkaline, and glucose-6-phosphatase of the fish Notopterus notopterus, which had been exposed to the heavy metal for 30 days. Higher concentrations produced highly significant (p less than 0.001) inhibition, whereas concentrations that were 1/25th the lethal concentration caused significant (p less than 0.05)/insignificant inhibition. The quantity of mercuric chloride accumulated in tissues correlated with the degree of enzyme inhibition.