Publication Date
Spring 2014
Document Type
Project Summary
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Analytical Chemistry
First Advisor
Walter Henne, Jr., Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Shailendra Kumar, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Stephen Kent, M.B.A.
Abstract
Mercury contamination has been shown to have a negative impact in fish-eating birds, including impacts on behavior, reproductive success, and their overall survival. Higher than normal mercury levels have been detected in birds who depend on fish for their food. High levels of mercury have been detected in the bird’s blood and feathers using analytical techniques. The present accepted method of determining levels of mercury in feathers and blood is the use of atomic spectroscopy. The amount of mercury in feathers appears to depend on the growth of the feathers with more growth associated with lower levels of mercury contamination. In this review paper, I will review the role of atomic spectroscopy in determining mercury levels in bird blood and the feathers of birds.
Recommended Citation
Klaeser, Peter M., "The Determination of Mercury Levels in Aquatic Avian Populations Using Atomic Spectroscopy Techniques" (2014). All Capstone Projects. 2.
https://opus.govst.edu/capstones/2