Lead fragments in tissues from wild birds: a cause of misleading analytical results

Seriously damaged eider ducks (Somateria mollissima) and long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) were shot in connection with an oil spill in 1974. Liver and kidney tissues were analyzed for environmental pollutants and lead analysis gave irreproducible results. By means of X-ray photographs, X-ray-dense particles could be observed in the tissues. The foreign particles were extracted by dissolution of the organ tissues in Soluene-350 (Packard Instruments Co. Inc) and then washed with toluene. The insoluble particles consisted of lead and bone splinters of varying size. The form of the former ranged from irregular fragments to dust, and arose by disruption of lead pellets upon collision with bone tissue. Birds shot with lead pellets should not be used for lead determination unless careful X-ray investigations are made prior to the chemical analysis. Determinations should be made on at least two different samples of the tissue examined.