Levels of metal contamination in various species of birds in select states in India.

Abstract

In India, studies on metal contamination on birds are a few. There is a growing concern to examine metal contamination in birds and interpret their levels; thereby appropriate measures may be taken to conserve the species. Metal levels in tissues can serve as an indication of the potential effects for alerting managers and the public to mitigating ecological problems. The presence of metal contaminants in tissues of birds is a problem that has not been fully resolved, given the ethical and legal impediments associated with the hunting and killing of bird species. The use of body feathers for studying metal contamination is another possible solution to this problem, as removal of these feathers does not injure the birds. In reference of seabirds, breast feathers are especially useful for establishing spatio and temporal patterns in bird populations and for evaluating metal contamination in species that are threatened or in danger of extinction. The present study was conducted with objective to document the levels of accumulalion of metals such as Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni , Cu and Zn in different species of birds in select states of India.