A study on pollutants in aquatic habitats of free ranging avifauna in and around Chennai

Abstract

A study was conducted with an objective to assess the water quality and levels of pesticide residue in biotic samples at water bodies hosting avifauna (resident and migratory) in and around Chennai and based on the data generated formulation of appropriate managemental protocol to the authorities concerned. newline newline newline newlineInitially four water bodies were chosen in and around Chennai newline newlineAbiotic (water) sample were collected as per standard procedures from all the four water bodies during both dry season and rainy season. The water sample collected were analyzed for physical and chemical parameters (TDS, BOD, COD, DO, pH, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, magnesium harness, total hardness, water salinity, iron and chlorine), microbial quality and heavy metals. Biotic samples (fish, frog, snail, waterbird feather, waterbird eggshell and waterbird carcass) were collected during both dry and wet seasons and were analyzed for pesticide residues and heavy metals newline newline newline newlineBased on the observations and results obtained it was concluded that newline newline newline newline· None of the waterbodies studied indicated alarming levels of the analyzed parameters which could be dangerous for the aquatic species, on which the entire food chain of wild avifauna depends. newline newlineChlorpyrifos was the main organophosphorus pesticide detected at all the location and this needs attention as such residues could affect the migratory birds in the long run. newline