Impact of Tannery Effluent on Wetland Birds of Dindigul District, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

Water and soil is the most important and crucial factor on the global ecosystems and human health. This study focuses on the physico chemical parameters of effluent water and soil serving as an indicator of Tannery effluent tank, in Dindigul District. Bird census made using total bird count from December 2009 to May 2012 to enumerate bird species composition in the Tannery effluent tank. The study area harbored totally 14 species of birds which is grouped under 9 families falls under 7 orders. The maximum abundance of birds species was from the family Ardeidae and Charadridae. The most dominant species in Tannery Effluent tank was Black-winged Stilt and Little Egret. Water bird species seen abundantly were Black-winged Stilt, Little Egret, Grey Duck and Green Shank. The least number of bird species observed was Large Egret, Little Grebe and Median Egret. Electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids and the level of Chloride, Sulphate, Iron, Ammonia, Nitrate, Phosphate, BOD, COD and DO were high in the effluent water. Fluoride and Nitrite was within the standard limit of effluent water. The accumulation of micro nutrient in soil as Manganese, Zinc, Copper and Iron were high during the study. Determining the bird community in Tannery Effluent Tank and to evaluate the impact of Tannery Effluent Tank on the distribution of birds in Dindigul and the results highlights the discharge of highly polluted waste water effluent from tanneries of Dindigul District.