PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE CATTLE EGRET (BUBULCUS IBIS), AS BIO-INDICATORS OF SOIL HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN SHARKIA PROVINCE, EGYPT | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Zoology | ||||
| Article 27, Volume 81, Issue 81, June 2024, Page 30-43 PDF (432.59 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Research Papers | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejz.2023.216074.1097 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Safaa E. Nassar  ; Zeinab Z. Khater
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| Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Al-Sharkia, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Heavy metals pollution has major health consequences for wildlife. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se) in soil samples, as well as kidney and blood samples of the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) at two sites in Sharkia Province, Egypt: urban site (I) and rural site (II) during summer and winter 2021-2022. Some hematological and biochemical parameters, and renal ultrastructural alternations of the birds were evaluated. The results showed that the highest metal concentrations were recorded in the soil of the both sites in the summer. Metal concentrations in the soil, and kidney and blood samples of site "I" were significantly higher than those of site "II", except for Cr that was found in low levels. Alarming concentrations for As, Pb, and Se levels were found in the kidney samples of egrets in both sites. Egrets collected from site "I" showed a significant decrease in the red blood cell count (RBCs), hematocrit (Hct) value, and hemoglobin content (Hb), and an increase in the white blood cell count (WBCs), and serum creatinine and urea levels when compared to those of site "II". Furthermore, severe damage and enlargement in the renal tissues were observed in the cattle egrets of site "I" when compared to those of site "II". Based on these findings the heavy metals contamination in the surrounding environment can be predicted by alterations in hematological parameters and kidney functions in Cattle egret. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Bioaccumulation; Cattle egret; Heavy metals; Soil contamination; Ultrastructural changes | ||||
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