Using avian guano as a non-destructive biomonitor

PhD Student: Jim Clapp

Collaborator: Dr Ian Singleton

In human medicine, urine is an ideal matrix from which to determine physiologically active compounds. However, the collection of urine from free-living mammals is impractical due to its fluid nature. Birds on the other hand pass urine in a solid form known as urate spheres; the visible white part of guano. Our studies have shown that extracted avian urine contained excreted radiocaesium, heavy metals and fluoride derived from environmental exposure. We have also shown that excreted immunoreactive testosterone and corticosterone can be measured in extracted avian urine representing a new non-invasive method to monitor these hormones in free-living birds.
 

Bird guano	Urate Spheres