HEAVY METAL-INDUCED ECOTOXICITY IN CHIROPTERA: A REVIEW OF IMPACTS ON BIOLOGICAL TRAITS AND ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

The most potent environmental pollutants, heavy metals, are released into ecosystems through the effluents of various industries, leading to significant degradation of the environment. Around the world, there is much interest in extreme heavy metal pollution in the environment. These hazardous heavy metals bioaccumulate in many animal tissues, which allows them to enter the food chain. In some areas, bats can assist in biomonitoring of metal exposure. The development, reproduction, and physiology of bats are all adversely impacted by heavy metal toxicity. This review also delivers an overview of the significance of bats, the properties of heavy metals, and the methods by which bats are exposed to heavy metals.