Unraveling Toxic Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Body Profile of Cattle Egret (<i>Bulbus ibis</i>) and the Implication for Environmental Monitoring: A Case of Punjab Province, Pakistan
2023
Muhammad Ahtesham Aslam | Shahid Hafeez
The accumulation of heavy metals in ecosystems can have potential toxic effects on human health. This is one of the most prominent consequences of anthropogenic developments, which threaten biodiversity and the quality of the environment. Industrial effluents and urban wastes contain a large number of heavy metals (Cadmium, Lead, Copper, and Zinc) that are highly toxic to biological systems. The present study investigated the status of heavy metals, including Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), and Cobalt (Co), in the bones, feathers, hearts, muscles, and lungs of the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis). Samples of cattle egrets were collected from the Faisalabad division with the help of the concerned wildlife department. Heavy metals were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the protocols supplied by Perkin-Elmers Corp. The results revealed that the trend of heavy metals in bones was Zn > Pb > Cu > Mn > Cd > Co, and the same trend was followed in the case of feathers and hearts. However, the trend of heavy metals in muscles and lungs was in the order Zn > Mn > Cu > Co > Cd. Heavy metals were present in the bones, feathers, hearts, muscles, and lungs of cattle egrets. The contamination levels were ascertained in this study, which indicated that cattle egret is useful for biomonitoring heavy metals. The present study provides baseline data that could be further compared with data from other locations for monitoring heavy metal pollution. These investigations will be helpful for assessing heavy metal accumulation under semi-arid climates.
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