ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS ON THE POPULATION OF MARSH CROCODILES (CROCODYLUS PALUSTRIS) IN CHOTIARI WETLAND COMPLEX SANGHAR, SINDH: A SURVEY REPORT Page No: 2363-2373

Muhammad Saleem Chang, Ghulam Sarwar Gachal, Ayaz Hussain Qadri and Sanam Chang

Keywords: Endangered species, pollution, metabolic, toxic, contamination.

Abstract: In this study, an ecological survey of the impacts on Marsh Crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) in Chotiari Wetland Complex Sanghar was carried out during the month of January to December 2008. In order to assess, the microbial contamination, detection of pollutant indicator organisms in the water samples, using different physico-chemical parameters were performed. The level of different physico-chemical parameters like as temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, bi carbonate, chloride, sodium, potassium, sulphur, carbonate, biological oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen were monitored in water samples collected from Chotiari Wetland Complex to assess the impact of toxic pollutants. Toxic chemical contaminants were estimated below the detection limit, while another several chemicals were found within the range set by World Health Organization. The degree of contamination, proximity to pollution source and the metabolic ability of Marsh Crocodile suggest that the species are at threatened from the environmental contamination by the study of heavy metals. Marsh Crocodiles are considered endangered around the world due to the increase pollution and alteration of their habitat.



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