Profile of Selected Mineral Elements in Tibiotarsal Bone of the White-Tailed Sea Eagle in Its Natural Habitat

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Analyses in this paper are concerned with one of the biggest avian raptors distributed widely across Eurasian territory. The White-Tailed Sea Eagle is considered one of the most important protected species of wetlands including plains and seashores. Monitoring heavy metal toxicity in raptors may contribute to the prevention of intoxication in other species, including humans. Researching their biology and different environmental connections may help protect the whole habitat. In the paper, the results of the analysis of the mineral composition of long bones collected from seven White-Tailed Sea Eagles are presented. Specimens came from the territories of Western Poland. It is the first paper describing the bone composition of this species. ABSTRACT: Mineral bone composition (dry matter, bones ash, P, Ca, Zn, Mn, Mg, and Cu) and Pb levels of tibiotarsi of seven White-Tailed Sea Eagles were assessed. Lead intoxication in different bird species including waterfowl and raptors is being studied worldwide. The bones were analyzed for Pb by mass spectrometry with excitation in inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS Elan DRC II) and for bone composition by Atomic Emission Spectrometer (Agilent 4100 Microwave Plasma). Pb levels ranging from 3.54 µg/g to 74.6 µg/g DM suggest that some of the investigated birds might have been intoxicated by Pb. Results of this analysis were divided into two groups of bones, with bone Pb levels higher and lower than Pb toxicity levels, and mineral bone compositions of both groups were compared. The present study shows the differentiation of bone mineral composition among seven examined White-Tailed Sea Eagles, considered a specific species in raptors. Pb intoxication may not have a major influence on mineral bone composition in raptors. It also suggests that assessing bone composition of raptor bones may help finding the possible cause of their deaths.