Effect of heat and singeing on stable hydrogen isotope ratios of bird feathers and implications for their use in determining geographic origin. (25th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vander Zanden, Hannah B.; Reid, Abigail; Katzner, Todd; Nelson, David M.
• Is Part Of: Rapid communications in mass spectrometry. Volume 32:Number 21(2018)
• Page Start: 1859
• Page End: 1866
• Publication Date: 2018-09-25
• Subjects: Mass spectrometry -- Periodicals; 543.65
• DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8253
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-4198

Abstract

Abstract : Rationale: Stable hydrogen isotope ( δ 2 H) ratios of animal tissues are useful for assessing movement and geographic origin of mobile organisms. However, it is uncertain whether heat and singeing affects feather δ 2 H values and thus subsequent geographic assignments. This is relevant for birds of conservation interest that are burned and killed at concentrating solar‐energy facilities that reflect sunlight to a receiving tower and generate a solar flux field. Methods: We used a controlled experiment to test the effect of known heat loads (exposure to 200, 250 or 300°C for 1 min) on the morphology and δ 2 H values of feathers from two songbird species. Subsequently, we examined the effects of singeing on δ 2 H values of feathers from three other songbird species that were found dead in the field at a concentrating solar‐energy facility. Results: Relative to control samples, heating caused visual morphological changes to feathers, including shriveling at 250°C and charring at 300°C. The δ 2 H values significantly declined by a mean of 27.8‰ in experimental samples exposed to 300°C. There was no statistically detectable difference between δ 2 H values of the singed and unsinged portions of field‐collected feathers from the same bird. Conclusions: Limited singeing that did not dramatically alter the feather morphology did not substantially affect δ 2 H values of feathers from these songbirds. However, higher temperatures induced charring and reduced δ 2 H values. Therefore, severely charred feathers should be avoided when selecting feathers for δ 2 H‐based assessment of geographic origin.