Heavy metal contamination in excreta of house sparrow (Passer domesticus) from rural areas of Ludhiana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to detect the heavy metal contamination in the excreta of House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) from rural areas of Ludhiana. The study was carried out in two villages i.e. Kaind (location I) and Alamgir (location II) falling in district Ludhiana. The results showed that the levels of Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) were higher than normal range in excreta of House Sparrow from both locations I and II The concentrations of Lead (Pb) and Boron (B) were observed above toxic range from both the locations. Different types of agrochemicals used in crop fields might be responsible for contamination in the food chain of House Sparrow at various trophic levels.