Year: 2018 | Month: June | Volume 9 | Issue 3
Heavy Metal Contamination in Excreta of Blue Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) and Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) in Rural Areas of Punjab
Abstract:
Bird excreta are considered as bioindicator of heavy metal contamination in agricultural areas. The aim of the study was to evaluate the heavy metal concentrations in the excreta of Blue Rock Pigeon and Indian Peafowl to monitor the environment contamination in rural areas of Punjab. This study was carried out in two villages i.e Rampur Chhana (District Sangrur, location I) and Dargapur (District Patiala, location II). The excreta of Blue Rock Pigeon and Indian Peafowl were collected. After collection they were digested for metal analysis which was done through ICAP-AES. The study showed toxic level of Pb, high level above normal range of As and Ni more in the excreta of Indian Peafowl than in excreta of Blue Rock Pigeon. The concentration of B was in toxic range in excreta of Blue Rock Pigeon. It was inferred that they relied in similar environmental conditions while having exposure to different feeding habitats might have resulted in species specific heavy metal accumulation. Our studies showed that location I had more concentration of heavy metals like Pb, B and As which seems to be due to the presence of industrial units near this location. It has been concluded that more level of heavy metals in the excreta of Indian Peafowl was due to its high trophic level in the food chain. Statistical analysis showed significant difference among both the bird species which signifies the bioaccumulation of metals in the excreta of Indian Peafowl.
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