Cadmium accumulation in urban sparrows (Passer domesticus): assessing the impact of high-traffic industrial areas in Meknes Morocco

ABSTRACT

This study investigated cadmium in urban sparrows from various Meknes zones with differing industrial and traffic intensities, compared to a rural site. Forty sparrows from industrial regions and ten from rural were analysed post-capture. Cadmium extraction used acid mineralisation, quantified via ICP. Findings revealed higher cadmium in sparrows’ kidneys from industrial zones than the rural site, with an average of 1.25 µg/g wet weight, indicating urban and industrial impacts on metal accumulation. The kidneys showed notable vulnerability to cadmium. Statistical data highlighted significant concentration differences between zones. This research emphasises the need for environmental monitoring and pollution strategies in urban areas for safeguarding health.

KEYWORDS:

• Cadmium
• urban pollution
• Passer domesticus
• kidneys

Acknowledgments

The authors are profoundly grateful to the technicians at the research centre of Moulay Ismail University for their invaluable assistance in the analyses using ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) and AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy): and to those who provided support in statistical analyses, as well as to all those who contributed to the proficiency in software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, and Python programming. Their assistance and expertise were crucial.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).