Assessment of heavy metals in excreta of house crow ( Corvus splendens ) from different Agroecosystems of Ludhiana

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the difference in level of heavy metals in excreta of the House Crow (Corvus splendens) from agrifield and residential areas of Ludhiana city. The dry feacal samples were collected from four different crop field and three different residential areas which further comprised of different habitat structures. The lowest concentration of arsenic was recorded in samples of site I (1.38 ± 0.38 ppm) which comprised of orchard area and different trees. Maximum concentration was recorded at site V (4.04 ± 0.20 ppm) which comprised of garden surrounded by residential area. The minimum concentration of boron was recorded at the site VII (6.74 ± 1.03 ppm) which comprised of residential area and maximum concentration was recorded at site II (12.67 ± 1.97 ppm) which comprised of orchard area and vegetable farms having different crops. The minimum concentration of cadmium was recorded on the site I (0.393 ± 0.106 ppm) and maximum concentration was recorded at site V (1.05 ± 0.08 ppm). The minimum concentration of lead was recorded at site VII (2.59 ± 0.57 ppm) which comprised residential area and maximum concentration was recorded at site III (10.17 ± 0.94 ppm) which comprised of eucalyptus trees and different crop fields. The difference in levels of heavy metals in excreta samples from different areas attributed to the availability of different food sources and habitat structure. The reported concentrations of different heavy metals in bird excreta reflects their exposure to metal pollution which is alarming to increased environmental pollution