Utilizing birds as a bioindicator species to monitor potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contamination in an ecosystem

SAIDON, NADHIRAH BINTI and Major, László and Szabó, Rita and Lehel, József (2025) Utilizing birds as a bioindicator species to monitor potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contamination in an ecosystem. GEORGIKON FOR AGRICULTURE: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 29 (Sup 1). pp. 33-40. ISSN 0239-1260

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Abstract

Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) is a versatile term which includes heavy metals, non-metals and even essential elements, that pose significant environmental and health risks to humans, animals, and plants. Bioindicator species, particularly birds, are valuable tools for monitoring PTEs contamination in ecosystems, offering insights into pollutant levels and their ecological impacts. Birds, as top predators with extensive mobility, absorb contaminants across large areas, making them effective bioindicators in freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands. This study reviews recent research (2014-2024) on the use of birds for biomonitoring of PTEs, focusing on their behavior, feeding habits, and migration patterns, which influence contamination accumulation. Key findings indicate that bird species’ diet, residency, and foraging behavior significantly affect PTEs bioaccumulation, with migratory species showing higher metal concentrations. Different sample types, including feathers, blood, and excrement, serve as non-destructive methods for assessing PTEs exposure in birds, with feathers possibly becomes a reliable indicator of metal accumulation in internal tissues. The review emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate bird species and sample types to enhance the accuracy of environmental contamination assessments and underscores the utility of birds in understanding the broader ecological effects of PTEs pollution.

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