Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2025 Nov 30;115(6):73. doi: 10.1007/s00128-025-04142-6.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the bioaccumulation of Zn, Pb, and Cd in the sternal feathers of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) collected from five sites in Meknes, Morocco, representing urban, industrial, and rural environments. Metal concentrations were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The analysis revealed significant spatial differences for Pb and Cd, whereas Zn showed no marked variation among sites. Post-hoc comparisons confirmed that urban and industrial stations had considerably higher Pb and Cd levels compared to the rural reference site. No significant sex-related differences were found. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used as a descriptive tool to visualize correlations among metals and sampling sites, confirming spatial clustering linked to anthropogenic influence. These findings highlight P. domesticus as a reliable and non-invasive bioindicator of urban and industrial metal pollution, particularly for Pb and Cd, emphasizing its ecological relevance in monitoring environmental contamination.
PMID:41320699 | DOI:10.1007/s00128-025-04142-6
