Heavy metal assessment and diversity of wild birds within Marguba range old oyo national park, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this analysis was to see how much of a difference there was in terms of four heavy metals that are potentially toxic namely Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), and Nickel (Ni) among avian species captured in Marguba range of Old Oyo National Par capture the various bird species opportunistically in a variety of habitat types to improve capture of four feeding guilds. The birds captured individuals belong to: Frugivores (3), Granivores (40), Insectivores (46), Nectarivores (2) and IF (both an insectivore and frugivore; 1). Feather samples from each bird captured were examined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). After heating to clarity, sample was purified and appropriately diluted using distilled water concentration for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) was 0.44, 0.98, 0.58 and 1.06 respectively. Zinc was with the most abundant concentration and then Cd, Ni and lastly Pb ( Cd> Ni>Pb). The nectarivore group recorded the highes concentration recorded were a lot higher than the maximum permissible limit except Cd. The significantly high level of heavy metals found in the avian feathers provides a useful indication that feathers can be used to detect presence of heavy metal contamination, and monitoring remediation of pollution caused by heavy metal in protected area.