Mammalian Scat as a Bio-indicator of Heavy Metals Contamination in Western Rajasthan, India

Our aim to establish the metal (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn) levels of wild mammalian scat samples deriving from sanctuaries of Western Rajasthan and compare the concentrations between Desert National Park, Jaisalmer and Gajner Wildlife sanctuary, Bikaner. Restrictions on the sampling because of Wildlife Protection Act (1972) prevents taking of samples of living tissues to analyse body burdens of contaminants that the wildlife may be carrying. According to our results the concentrations of metals (μg/g (ppm) dry weight) in fecal samples were in the range of 1.02 to 1.88 (Pb), 0.90 to 1.49 (Cd), 1.14 to 1.69 (Cr), 0 to 34.3 (Cu) and 0 to 25.53 (Zn) in DNP whereas in Gajner it was in range between 0.40 to 2.17 (Pb), 0.96 to 2.6 (Cd), 4.44 to 9.9 (Cr), 3.63 to 22.23 (Cu) and 4.61 to 10.15 (Zn). Background concentration in Soil, vegetation samples were also analysed . Detail data on contamination is presented in this paper.