Resident wild birds as bio-indicator for some heavy metals pollution in Lake Manzala

Abstract EN

Resident wild birds considered as good bio-indicators to monitor the heavy metals concentrations in the environment due to their wide range of distribution and occupy a higher trophic niche in the food chain.

In this study, 92 resident wild birds from five species (Squacco heron, Little grebe, Moorhen, Purple gallinule and Little tern) belonging to different 4 Families and 4 Orders inhabit Lake Manzala were examined to determine the best bird and tissue (liver, muscles and breast feathers) can be used as a bio-indicator for heavy metals pollution.

The results revealed that, the best bio-indicator for Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) was the feathers of the Little tern, for Lead (Pb) was the feathers of the Little grebe and that for Copper (Cu) was the muscles of Moorhen.

Generally, the little tern was the best examined species as a bio-indicator for Cd and Zn while the other species were nearly similar in Cu and Pb concentrations.

The assessment of examined heavy metals pollution in Lake Manzala showed high level of all metals in the sediment samples and were above the permissible limits except Pb.

The muscles of examined fish showed high level of Cd, Pb and Zn and were also above the permissible limits.