Keywords:
MERCURY, METHYL-MERCURY, BALD EAGLE, VIRGINIA, GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS,
Related Organizations:
Role
:OWNER
Organization Name
:VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
Citation
:Blacksburg
State
:VA
Zip Code
:24061
Project Information:
Approach
:Blood samples will be collected from the brachial vein in the wing using 21–25 gauge butterfly needles (depending on the size of the juvenile) and 5cc vaccutainers. Analysis of blood mercury in samples will follow analytical methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Full metrics will be collected, including but not limited to weight, crop size, foot pad, and halix claw size. In addition to the morpho-metrics of the juvenile eagles, full metrics of the nest tree will be collected if that information is not currently available. Resulting mercury levels will be correlated with predominant land-cover type, foraging area (e.g., lake, river, estuarine), aspect, predominant prey type, and geographic location, and other variables still to be determined. A combination of linear and non-linear modeling techniques such as Poisson log-linear regression, geographic weighted regression, and standard linear regression, implemented in a Geographic Information System, will be used to produce a best fit model of mercury risk in the region. To compare levels between Virginia and Maine, categorical analysis and the use of odds ratios and relative risk statistics will be used.
Cost
:$111,172.00
Research Component
:Academic Fellowships
Approach
:Blood samples will be collected from the brachial vein in the wing using 21–25 gauge butterfly needles (depending on the size of the juvenile) and 5cc vaccutainers. Analysis of blood mercury in samples will follow analytical methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Full metrics will be collected, including but not limited to weight, crop size, foot pad, and halix claw size. In addition to the morpho-metrics of the juvenile eagles, full metrics of the nest tree will be collected if that information is not currently available. Resulting mercury levels will be correlated with predominant land-cover type, foraging area (e.g., lake, river, estuarine), aspect, predominant prey type, and geographic location, and other variables still to be determined. A combination of linear and non-linear modeling techniques such as Poisson log-linear regression, geographic weighted regression, and standard linear regression, implemented in a Geographic Information System, will be used to produce a best fit model of mercury risk in the region. To compare levels between Virginia and Maine, categorical analysis and the use of odds ratios and relative risk statistics will be used.
Cost
:$111,172.00
Research Component
:Fellowship - Geospatial and Environmental Analysis
Approach
:Blood samples will be collected from the brachial vein in the wing using 21–25 gauge butterfly needles (depending on the size of the juvenile) and 5cc vaccutainers. Analysis of blood mercury in samples will follow analytical methods approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Full metrics will be collected, including but not limited to weight, crop size, foot pad, and halix claw size. In addition to the morpho-metrics of the juvenile eagles, full metrics of the nest tree will be collected if that information is not currently available. Resulting mercury levels will be correlated with predominant land-cover type, foraging area (e.g., lake, river, estuarine), aspect, predominant prey type, and geographic location, and other variables still to be determined. A combination of linear and non-linear modeling techniques such as Poisson log-linear regression, geographic weighted regression, and standard linear regression, implemented in a Geographic Information System, will be used to produce a best fit model of mercury risk in the region. To compare levels between Virginia and Maine, categorical analysis and the use of odds ratios and relative risk statistics will be used.
Cost
:$111,172.00
Research Component
:Mercury
Project IDs:
ID Code
:F6C20816
Project type
:Fellowship