Study of Heavy Metal Accumulation (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd ) in Feathers of Great White Heron (Egretta alba) in Hara Biosphere Reserve in Cool Season

Abstract

In recent years concerns about long term effects of heavy metals as environment polluters has aroused. Nowadays considerable quantities of heavy metals have been released into the environment by human activities. Heavy metal can be a serious threat for the stability of ecosystems. In this study we examine the levels of zinc‚ copper‚ lead and cadmium in the feathers of twenty Great White Heron (Egretta alba) collected from Hara Biosphere during November and December in 2012. The results showed that the mean concentration of heavy metals in feathers of male significantly higher than female (p<0.05)‚. Also‚ there was no significant difference in heavy metal concentration between adult and juvenile birds. We compared the mean concentrations of heavy metal with standards. The results showed that the levels of lead‚ copper and cadmium in feather was below toxicity level except zinc‚ but the high concentration of heavy metal in some samples indicate that birds are potentially pose at the risk of heavy metal in their habitate.