ISSN:2521-036X
Annals of Life Sciences Vol-1,(1) (2017) 9–13
Annals of Life Sciences Journal Home: www.alifesci.co.uk
Review Article
Bioaccumulation and Effects Of Heavy Metals In Avian Fauna Of Asian Scavenging Species; A Review Ali Raza1,2, Mahmoona Ayaz3, Sana Rafi3 1
Department of Zoology, Govt. College University, Lahore, Pakistan
2
Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
3
Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
Abstract Avian fauna is most suitable for the study of effects of heavy metals and to check the toxicity level in the environment. The scavengers have great significance for the human well-being by both ecological and religious point of view. The scavengers are eco-cleaners and play a vital role in the environmental health by consuming carcasses of dead animals and thus reducing the risk of diseases. Heavy metals like Cd, Zn, Hg, Cu, Cr, and Ni cause serious toxicological effects on the body like weight loss, muscle weakness, reproductive organ destruction, effect embryonic development and damage to respiratory system respectively. Toxicity of these heavy metals may result in egg shell thinning, depression and damage to respiratory system, depression of the immune system, reduced growth and reproduction rate and all these factors lead to population decline in scavengers. Industrial and home sewage is mainly responsible for their decline. All concern must act by doing level best to protect and conserve the scavengers in order to prevent their extinction and conserve ecosystem. Key words: Heavy metals, scavengers, toxicity, immune system, extinction
[27]
. Increasing environmental pollution by heavy
Introduction
metals has been reported in recent years in almost Heavy metals causes serious environmental problem as
are
widely distributed
through
geological,
metrological, biological and anthropogenic activities
every industrialized nation in South Asia. Pesticides use for example increases seven folds between 1981 and
1992.Despite
banned DDT, organic chlorines mercury components
pollution because they feed on the top of the food
and other hazardous chemicals are still in use.
chain and may accumulate some contaminants to
Extremely great concentrations of heavy metals have
great level [17]. Environmental pollutants are potential
been measured in rivers and sea water. Heavy metals
harmful to other birds species regardless of the age
are highly toxic and have serious impact on flora,
and sex of individual. Birds are not only the most
fauna and the stability of the ecosystem
[3]
.
Scavengers are particularly good indicators of
threatened groups by chemicals but also very sensitive
indicators
of
pollution
and
their
Corresponding Author:
[email protected]
Page | 9
contaminants
[20]
. The high toxicity of heavy metals
Effects of heavy metals
may result in eggshell thinning, low reproduction Heavy
rate, suppression of the immune system, reduced growth/ weight, and developmental malformations, and all these lead to possible population decline in birds
[25]
. This study briefly review the effect of
metals
are
disposed
the
environment through industrial effluents, organic waste
manufacturing
of
pigments,
drugs,
agrochemicals, plastics, batteries, electroplating and burring of fuels through automobiles
heavy metals on scavenging avian fauna of Asia.
in
[10]
. Dietary
exposure to high level of lead and cadmium is toxic to avian species
Scavengers as Bio indicators
[2]
. Lead affects all body systems
such as nervous system, kidney and circulatory Scavengers are excellent indicators of ecosystem’s health as they are top predator occupying multiple trophic levels and various ecological niches. These are good indicator because most of the species are long lived, mostly visible, too much sensitive to environmental changes.
system
[22]
also disturb molting, migration, endocrine
system, behavior, growth rate and enzyme involve in hemoglobin formation [7]. Mercury is associated with several adverse effects such as weight loss muscle
viability of mallard
[13]
impairs reproduction Liver and kidneys are primary organs involved in heavy metal excretion and where [6]
. Feathers
contain higher concentration of heavy metals as compared to all other body parts
feather and damages it
. Nickel accumulates in [15]
. Ni affects respiratory
system causing asthma as well as birth defects, vomiting and damages DNA
[11]
. Arsenic causes
weight loss, genetic disorder and is carcinogenic [1].
.
need refrigeration. Use of feathers in non-invasive and non-destructive; feathers can be collected from live birds which particularly appropriate for rare declining species. In general live birds samples are better indicator than dead birds because dead birds may not be representative of the living population contamination
level
Populations of three species of Gyps vulture in the Indian subcontinent have collapsed since the early 1990s and are now at high risk of extinction [12]. These
species
Endangered imminent
are
now
considered
Critically
[12]
, and extinction in the wild appears
[7]
. Proconsul africanus of South Africa has
been reported endangered. The laggar falcon, Falco biarmicus jugger, is wide-spread throughout the
[19]
.
Concentration in feathers is easy to measure and the ration of metal content in feathers to other tissues is fairly consistent for most metals [8].
Species affected by heavy metal accumulation
[8]
Feathers are easy to collect and store as they do not
of
[4]
. Use of feathers
measurements of metal contamination in birds
respects
. Copper affects kidneys and
[8]
has several advantages other than tissues for the
with
. Chromium produces
adverse effects on embryonic development and
Bioaccumulation in Primary Organs
accumulation of heavy metals is more
[23]
weakness in wings and legs
Indian Subcontinent, inhabiting dry open country, thin jungle and cultivation, and is resident or a partial local migrant. The Black Kite (Milvus migrans, Govinda) is a common diurnal scavenger distributed throughout the Palearctic [9]. Black Kite also is a very
Page | 10
common scavenger around the towns in Sub-
populations have been conclusively linked to the use
continent. This species was much more abundant in
of heavy metal mostly. Scavengers are equally
the recent past and now has been classified as least
important from ecological, social, religious and
concerned. The Black kite is migratory, medium
cultural point of view. Scavengers feed on animal
sized raptor with a life history that makes it a species
carcasses and thereby helping keep the environment
suitable for contaminant monitoring and heavy metal
clean and the disposal of dead bodies as per the
contamination has been suspected as an important
religious practice in some communities such as Parsi
factor contributing to the decline of the population of
community.
other races of this species
[18]
. Lead poisoning is a The key steps necessary to save scavengers
well-known problem in different species of wild waterfowls, swans or scavenging - sanitary raptors
from extinction are mainly to remove the heavy metal contents from industrial waste and by filtering heavy
like eagles, condors etc.
metals from the home sewage water before pouring in the river. Government need to discourage the
Conclusion and recommendations
industrialist for their poor drainage system. The From the wide ranging evidence of heavy metals ingestion and poisoning from around the world it is clear that many scavenger species are at risk from, and being affected by heavy metals. The swift and
wide
spread
decline
public awareness campaigns always produce good results. The will and collaborative actions are required for scavenger’s conservation and protection in order to ensure balance in ecosystem.
in scavenger
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