title: Evaluating Insects as Bioindicators of Heavy Metal Contamination and Accumulation near Industrial Area of Gujrat, Pakistan.
abstract: To study the accumulation and contamination of heavy metals (i.e., Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in soil, air, and water, few insect species were assayed as ecological indicators. Study area comes under industrial zone of district Gujrat of Punjab, Pakistan. Insects used as bioindicators included a libellulid dragonfly (Crocothemis servilia), an acridid grasshopper (Oxya hyla hyla), and a nymphalid butterfly (Danaus chrysippus) near industrial zone of Gujrat. Accumulation of Cd was highest in insect species followed by Cu, Cr, Zn, and Ni at p < 0.05. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HACA) was carried out to study metal accumulation level in all insects. Correlation and regression analysis confirmed HACA observations and declared concentration of heavy metals above permissible limits. Metal concentrations in insects were significantly higher near industries and nallahs in Gujrat and relatively higher concentrations of metals were found in Orthoptera than Odonata and Lepidoptera. The total metal concentrations in insects were pointed significantly higher at sites S3 (Mid of HalsiNala), S9 (End of HalsiNala), and S1 (Start of HalsiNala), whereas lowest value was detected at site S6 (Kalra Khasa) located far from industrial area. HACA indicates that these insect groups are potential indicators of metal contamination and can be used in biomonitoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Gujrat, Punjab 50700, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Iqra
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Azam
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Gujrat, Punjab 50700, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sumera
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Afsheen
authors.affiliation: National Insect Museum, National Agriculture Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zia
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, University of Gujrat, Punjab 50700, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muqaddas
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Javed
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Gujrat, Punjab 50700, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Rashid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Institute of Life Sciences, University of Gujrat, Punjab 50700, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Kaleem
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Sarwar
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry, Government College University of Faisalabad, Punjab 38000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Bushra
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Munir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007221:Industry; D007313:Insecta / Q000187:drug effects*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D010154:Pakistan; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil