Comparison of Heavy Metals Concentration in Different Tissues of Four Wild Bird Species
Comparison of Heavy Metals Concentration in Different Tissues of Four Wild Bird Species
Noha M. El-Shabrawy1, Atef M. Kamel2, Aza S. Goda1, Gehad R. Donia1, Ahmed M. Salah-Eldein2*
ABSTRACT
The extensive growth of human activity, urbanization, agricultural and industrial processes result in increasing the number of pollutants introduced into the environment. Continuous monitoring of such pollutants required an indicator sensitive to environmental toxins and represents its accumulative effect. The aim of the present study is to determine the preferable tissue and bird that can be used as a bio-indicator for heavy metals pollution in El-Salam Canal which is considered as an important source of water for land irrigation and drinking of livestock in north Sinai, Egypt. A total of 58 wild birds belonging to 4 different species; Egyptian barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), house sparrow (Passer domestics), great white egret (Ardea alba) and striated heron (Butorides striata) were hunted by a net trap to determine the concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) in their muscle, liver, kidney and feather. Also, 16 water samples were collected to assess the level of heavy metals pollution in the study area. The result revealed that the kidney is the most tissue burdens the highest concentration of heaviest metals among the examined tissues. Egyptian barn swallow and house sparrow have a great tendency to accumulate heavy metals in their tissues among other examined birds. Levels of Pb in Egyptian barn swallow and house sparrow have exceeded the normal background level. Levels of Cu exceed the normal background level in all examined birds except great white egret. Levels of Pb and Cd concentrations in water exceed the permissible limits.
Keywords | Wild birds, Bio-indicator, Heavy metals, Pollution
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