Heavy Metal Residues In Tail Feathers Of Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) And Used As Bioindicator Of Metal Pollution In Jaipur

摘要

Peacock feathers as a bioindicator are used to determine the presence of heavy metals in areas of the city of Jaipur. Zinc, copper and lead were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer on peacock tail feathers randomly selected at six different sites, namely Galta gate, Jawahar Circle garden, Central garden, Govind Dev Ji temple. Ram Niwas garden and Ghat Ki Guni. Results showed different affinities to feathers. The concentration of zinc (177 ±0.31 to 256.5± 0.49 ppm), copper (69 ± 0.25 to 145 + 0.22 ppm) and lead (26.5 ± 0.47 to 53.5 ± 0.68 ppm) were significantly higher (P = 0.0047) among the six study sites. Also showed significant (P＜ 0.0001) relationship among zinc, copper and lead concentration in feathers. Heavy metals in feathers show the body burden of birds which varies in the different locations of Jaipur. Analysis of food, water and soil reflected high concentrations of metals in the environment also confirmed the sources of exposure in birds. In general, this study shows that peacock shedded tail feathers are the convenient and non-invasive sampling tool for heavy metal contamination in the environment.