Analysis of Tannery Effluent with Special Reference to Avifauna : Biomonitoring, Physicochemical Analysis of Water and Soil & Diversity of Birds

Bird census was carried out, using total bird count method, physico chemical analysis of water and soil following APHA and AAS respectively from 2009 to 2010. Effluent from sixty leather industries was released into common tannery tank at Dindigul. The study area harbored eleven species of birds which is grouped under eight families and six orders. The dominant herb species was Sagitifolia, Aerva lanata and Acalypha indica. Colour of the water sample from tannery effluent was brownish. Turbidity of the water was mostly exceeding 660 mg/l. The electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, Alkalinity PH, Total hardness Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Ammonia, Nitrite, BOD & COD were higher than the normal values, whereas Fluoride & Nitrate was lower than the normal value. The sediment from the tannery effluent tank was analyzed for seven selected metals such as (N, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn). The present finding indicates that the soil irrigated with tannery effluent contained high levels of metallic pollutants.