NON-INVASIVE BIO-MONITORING INVESTIGATION OF TOXIC TRACE ELEMENTS IN REMIGES (FLIGHT), CONTOURS (BODY), AND RECTRICES (TAIL) FEATHERS IN BUBULCUS IBIS (CATTLE EGRETS)

Abstract

The constant usage of trace elements in the environment can elucidate harmful health effects on sensitive species i.e. Birds residing on higher trophic levels. The current study is to investigate and compare toxic trace elements. accumulation patterns. Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg in Remiges (Primaries, Secondaries, Tertiaries), Contours (body), and Rectrices (tail) feathers of Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret) sampled from Lahore, Pakistan. Pb, Cd, Cu, and Cr were detected with variable concentration levels; Hg and As were not detected in the study. The general trend is Pb>Cd>Cu>Cr trend among the Remiges, Contours, and Rectrices of Bubulcus ibis. Primaries Flight feathers showed the highest concentrations of Pb, followed by Cd, the minimum (min-max) concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Cr at 0.49(0.48-0.55), 0.23(0.07-0.43), 0.13(0.12- 0.14), 0.07(0.03-0.21), were observed in Contour, Tertiaries, Tertiaries, and Primaries feathers respectively. The values of elements were found non-significant (all P>0.05) in different feather types of Cattle Egrets, reflecting their similar distribution. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) based on co-relation matrices also depicted the homogenous distribution of toxic trace elements among different feather types. Compared to previous studies from or near to study site, the current study depicts a relatively lower level of toxic trace metals, which are unanimously distributed among different feather types of cattle egret. However, their environmental presence has significant health consequences for Pakistan's already diminishing avifauna.