Detection of Heavy Metals in Three Micro-Bat Species from Central and Northern Punjab

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) Metals are elevating in the environment due to rapid industrialization, and other activities like, combustion of fuel, processing of metals, coal mining, automobile, lead-acid batteries, and building material. Toxic metals are bio-accumulated by insectivorous bats due to their foraging habits and high trophic level. There is a growing interest on the conservation of bats throughout the world as they play an important role in controlling insect population. We measured cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) concentrations in bat tissues through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Our findings showed that metals were more concentrated in the liver and kidneys, Zn and Pb showed high mean values as compared to other metals but these values were below the lethal levels. Within the regions and sexes no significant variations were found in metal concentrations; however within three bat species metal concentrations varied significantly. This study provides baseline data for future comparisons and management of bats and metal concentrations in environment.