Some sources of variation in the elemental composition of Bald Eagle feathers

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 1948-1951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary R. Bortolotti ◽  
Jon C. Barlow

Concentrations of Br, Mn, Na, Al, and Cl were measured in back and tail feathers and concentrations of Mg and Ca were measured in tail feathers of wild and captive Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Feather chemistry of four eagles sampled over 3 years showed considerable annual variation. The profiles of tail feathers, however, appeared distinct for each individual. The mineral profiles of feathers of wild nestlings were usually significantly variable among years. A sex difference was evident for Cl, and perhaps Br and Na, in back feathers of nestlings. Mn and Al concentrations were significantly influenced by the species of prey on which the eaglets had fed. Variation attributable to sex likely has a physiological basis, while much of annual variation can likely be explained by diet.

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2707-2718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary R. Bortolotti ◽  
Jon C. Barlow

Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to investigate the feather chemistry of wild and captive bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). This paper documents variation that may be attributable to method of feather collection, laundering of samples, and precision of the analysis, as well as the variability within and among feathers from different locations on the body of individual birds. For most samples, reliable estimates could be made of the concentrations of bromine, magnesium. manganese, sodium, vanadium, aluminum, chlorine, calcium, and sulphur. Iodine and copper were detected but could not be measured precisely. There were highly significant patterns of variation along the length of a single feather for most chemical elements. The vane and calamus portions of feathers differed in chemical composition and the concentrations of the elements in the two parts were not correlated. Feathers belonging to the same molt but collected several months apart had similar chemical profiles. Variation within an individual feather and among feathers from different parts of the body necessitates rigorous consistency in the method of sampling feathers. Possible explanations for the observed patterns of elemental composition are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13

Background: Thyroid cancer is an internationally important health problem. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant changes in the thyroid tissue levels of Ag, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, and Zn exist in the malignantly transformed thyroid. Methods: Thyroid tissue levels of ten trace elements were prospectively evaluated in 41 patients with thyroid malignant tumors and 105 healthy inhabitants. Measurements were performed using non-destructive instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of long-lived radionuclides. Tissue samples were divided into two portions. One was used for morphological study while the other was intended for trace element analysis. Results: It was found that contents of Ag, Co, Cr, Hg, and Rb were significantly higher (approximately 12.8, 1.4, 1.6, 19.6, and 1.7 times, respectively) in cancerous tissues than in normal tissues. Conclusions: There are considerable changes in trace element contents in the malignantly transformed tissue of thyroid.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
pp. 4892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ratna Raju M.* ◽  
Madhusudhana Rao P. V. ◽  
Seshi Reddy T. ◽  
Raju M. K. ◽  
Brahmaji Rao J. S. ◽  
...  

A study was undertaken to evaluate the inorganic elements for humans in two Indian medicinal plants leaves, namely Sphaeranthus indicus, and Cassia fistula by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). INAA experiment was performed by using 20 kW KAMINI Reactor at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. The emitted gamma rays were measured using gamma ray spectrometer. The concentrations of Al, Br, Ca, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Sc, V and Zn were determined in the selected medicinal plants. The medicinal leaves are using in treatment of various important ailments. The elemental content in selected medicinal leaves is various proportions depending on the soil composition, location of plant specimen and the climate in which the plant grows.


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