Concentration of Heavy Metals in the Tissues of Spiny Mouse as Bio-Indicators of Pollution Under Different Environmental Conditions in Egypt

Abstract

he present study was performed to evaluate the concentration of some heavy metals in liver, kidney and muscles of the spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus from natural (Dakhla Oasis) and contaminated (Helwan) areas in Egypt. The copper, manganese and nickel concentrations showed highly significant differences in mice's livers between the two study areas. However, there was no difference between sites in measures of heavy metals in the kidney, except copper, which showed highly significant differences. Iron, manganese and zinc concentrations in muscles were significantly different between sites. The pollution factors showed that the kidney is much affected with copper, iron and zinc pollutants higher than in liver and muscles, while nickel and lead concentrations were lower in kidney than in other organs. In general, the tissues of spiny mouse from Dakhla Oasis were affected by heavy metal pollutants, especially copper, iron and manganese, which may affect wildlife and consequently humans' health.