The content of heavy metals in the habitat of birds, Zeya-Bureya plain

Abstract

From 2019 to 2021, the content of heavy metals in the components of the aquatic ecosystem, which is the habitat of birds on the territory of the Zeya-Bureya plain, was studied (water, sediments, macrophytes, bird feathers). High levels of iron and manganese were found in the water of small rivers. Due to heavy rains and floods, heavy metals were washed out of the surface layers of soil in agricultural fields into rivers. High concentrations of copper and lead were found in the bottom sediments of small rivers. Agricultural pollution of aquatic ecosystems affected the accumulation of lead and manganese in macrophytes. Bird feathers contained the highest amounts of iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, and the lowest amounts of cobalt and cadmium. The feathers of protected bird species such as Swan Goose, Red-crowned Crane, Hooded Crane and Daurian white-naped Crane contained lead 13.5 -38.2 mg/kg, cadmium 0.17 - 0.51 mg/kg. The elements in the feathers of birds were of exogenous origin. Birds are bioindicators of anthropogenic pollution. Researches in this direction are necessary for an estimation of ecological risk of environment and acceptance of measures on its protection.