Life Sciences Commons^™

Mineralization Of Clapper Rail Eggshell From A Contaminated Salt Marsh System, Alejandro Rodriguez-Navarro, Karen F. Gaines, Christopher S. Romanek, G. R. Masson

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The effect of contamination on eggshell mineralization has been studied for clapper rails (Rallus longirostris) inhabiting a contaminated salt marsh in coastal Georgia. To assess the impact of contaminants, the thickness, microstructure (crystal orientation), mineral composition, and chemistry of shell material were analyzed from a contaminated site and a nearby reference site using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography with electron capture detector. Eggshells from the contaminated site were generally thinner than those from the reference site. Also, eggshells from the contaminated site were abnormally brittle and contained anomalous microstructural attributes. The combination of …