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. 2023 Oct 26;9(11):e20968.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20968. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Elucidating the effects of heavy metals contamination on vital organ of fish and migratory birds found at fresh water ecosystem

Bushra Nisar Khan  1 , Hamid Ullah  2 , Yusra Ashfaq  1 , Nageen Hussain  3 , Usman Atique  4 , Tariq Aziz  5 , Metab Alharbi  6 , Thamer H Albekairi  6 , Abdullah F Alasmari  6
Affiliations

Elucidating the effects of heavy metals contamination on vital organ of fish and migratory birds found at fresh water ecosystem

Bushra Nisar Khan et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments threatens marine life and lowers the quality of freshwater supplies. This research aimed to quantify the heavy metal concentration in fish, avian tissue, and water of the Mangla reservoir. Concentrations of heavy metals such as Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb were determined in five vital organs of six species of fishes (Cirrhinus cirrhosis, Catla catla, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Wallagu attu, Cyprinus carpio, Sperata seenghala) and five species of migratory birds (Anas strepera, Aythya ferina, Anas platyrhynchos, Anas crecca, Anas clypeata) and water of Mangla dam. Heavy metal concentration was observed with AAS' help after the samples' complete chemical digestion. The average concentration of these metals in water samples was higher than the mean values in fish and birds. Heavy metals damaged fish and birds in the same order: Cd > Cu > Cr > Pb. The results of this research will hopefully prompt further consideration on the dangers of heavy metal contamination in freshwater ecosystem.

Keywords: Birds; Brain; Cadmium; Fish; Kidney; Lead; Mangla freshwater reservoir; Vital organs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic diagram outlining the keywords and ideas in the tropho-dynamics of heavy metals.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The five pockets of Mangla water reservoir: Jari Kass, Mangla, Khad, Poonch, and Kannsi Pockets.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(a, b) The overall Pb concentrations in several fish and bird species' organs. Significant changes between means within each period indicate different letters (P 0.05, Tukey's HSD, ANOVAs). For each therapy, the bars show the means and SE.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
(a, b) The overall Cd concentrations in the organs of fish and bird species. Significant changes between means within each period indicate different letters (P 0.05, Tukey's HSD, ANOVAs). For each therapy, the bars show the means and SE.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
(a, b): The overall Cu concentrations in the organs of fish and bird species. Significant changes between means within each period indicate different letters (P 0.05, Tukey's HSD, ANOVAs). For each therapy, the bars show the means and SE.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
(a, b) The overall Cr concentrations in the organs of fish and bird species. Significant changes between means within each period indicate different letters (P 0.05, Tukey's HSD, ANOVAs). For each therapy, the bars show the means and SE.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Average metal concentration in different organs of fish and birds. Asterisk (*) indicates a significant difference between the mean of metal concentration among the species. The obtained means of both species for each metal were compared using a t-test (p < 0.05).
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Schematic diagram of the human food chain regarding bio-accumulation of heavy metals. The HMs, with time, accumulate in bottom sediments, enter the food chain and affect aquatic life, birds, and humans.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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