ANIMALS AS BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS FOR HEAVY METAL POLLUTION

Abstract

Contamination by heavy metals is threatening our environment and lives. A seemingly insignificant concentration of metals, can in turn be a potential threat to the well being of flora and fauna in the long run. Animals are a good tool to biomonitor the concentration of heavy metals in the environment and therefore pollution levels can be traced quantitatively and semi quantitatively through them. Thus, animals are gaining worldwide attention of their use as bioindicator species to trace environmental contamination by these perilious pollutants. Interminable attempts from the scientific community of Pakistan should be considered to signify the importance of animal sentinel studies. It will help researchers chalk out the risks associated with heavy metals, not only on animals, but also on humans and environment. Keywords: Heavy metals, Environment, Contamination, Animals, Bioindicators