ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN MIGRATORY BIRD TISSUE (GALLINULA CHLOROPUS) IN SOUTHERN IRAQSALWA A. ABDUL JALEELAbstract Marshlands are important habitats for migratory birds but they have been damaged by many human-induced factors such as heavy metal contamination. So, birds occupying wetlands can be exposed to pollution, furthermore, birds will accumulate organic and inorganic materials in their bodies over time and at risk of harmful and sub-lethal effects. Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) is one of the migratory birds that migrate during the winter to marshes in southern Iraq and hunted as food. Existing work aims to determine the concentrations of various toxic metals and trace elements in bird tissues such as: heart, liver, and feathers. Metal concentrations were measured using MS ICP spectrometry. Result found Liver of common moorhen was accumulate high concentration of S, Na and P compared with other metals. The concentrations respectively exceeded 124.4,70.5,22.9 ppm. The concentration of metals in quill feathers came in sequence Ca > Mg > Fe > K > AL > Zn. Although in birdâs heart the concentration of these metals was in the following order: Ca > K > Mg > Fe > Zn > Al. The four tissues of common moorhen were accumulated low in concentration of Mn, Cu, Sr, Pb, Zr, Ti, Cr,Ni, Hg, Ba and Cd, their concentration ranged between 0.33 ppm to 0.001 ppm. Good positive association between Mg and Fe and k(r=0.762,0.761). Zn is related differently to Fe, K, Mg, Na and S(r=0.87,0.74,0.86.0.64 and 0.933 respectively). Clear connection between Al , Cr and Mn (r=0.840.811, respectively). There was also a negative correlation between Ca and Fe and K in bird tissues. |