ABSTRACT

The analysis of the concentrations of K, S, P, Mg, Na, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Y, Ag, Cd, In, Cs, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th and U in tissues and organs of white-tailed sea eagle collected dead in Poland has revealed that the metal of risk is lead, and to a somewhat degree also mercury. An intoxication of white-tailed sea eagles with lead is due to ingestion of lead pellets from the waterfowl injuried or killed by the hunters, which than become recaptured by the birds. In the case of mercury a source of elevated concentrations of that element in tissues and organs of some white-tailed sea eagles examined is their food (waterfowl and fish) originating from a coast of the Baltic Sea and the Firth of Szczecin.