[Fluorine and calcium concentrations in bones of the wood pigeon from the environs of Szczecin: a 2002-2004 study].

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was done in 176 wood pigeons (Columba palumbus). In 2002, assays were performed on 24 immature (imm) and 66 adult (ad) individuals. In 2003, 15 immature birds could be assayed, while the 2004 sample consisted of a total of 71 individuals (12 imm and 59 ad). Pigeons were caught near the villages of Skarbimierzyce and Dołuje situated west of Szczecin. Fluorine and calcium content in ash and dry mass of the wood pigeon's tarsometatarsus bones was determined. Fluorine content in ash and dry mass increased with age of the bird. It was only in 2002 samples that significant differences between immature and adult pigeons in calcium ash content were detected. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) failed to reveal significant differences between 2002 and 2004 samples in calcium content of adult bone ash. The remaining parameters in this group of birds differed significantly. The immature group showed no significant differences between 2002 and 2004 samples in fluorine content of bone ash and dry mass. Significant differences (p < 0.01) in fluorine content were revealed between 2002 and 2003 as well as between 2003 and 2004 samples. Ash calcium content showed no differences for immature birds of 2002 and 2003; however, significant differences (p < 0.001) were revealed between 2002 and 2004 as well as between 2003 and 2004. No significant differences were revealed between the immature bone dry mass calcium contents in 2002 and 2003 as well as in 2002 and 2004; on the other hand, the difference between the 2003 and 2004 data proved significant (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The present study demonstrated a number of differences in fluorine and calcium content in bones of the plant-eating wood pigeon. In addition, fluorine was found to undergo an intense age-related accumulation in bones. Fluorine content showed marked year-to-year variability.

CONCLUSIONS

It is highly probable that fluorine content in wood pigeon bone reflects environmental fluorine contamination from industrial plants in Szczecin and its environs which are the major source of fluorine emissions.