Research into the effects of lead on bald eagles has demonstrated that lead levels are higher in bald eagles than other birds at lower trophic levels (Burger and Gochfield 2009). Bald eagle survey data collected in Alaska also tells us that the breeding populations of Alaska contain a substantial proportion of the total number of eagles in North America (Hodges 2011). This project focused on the blood lead levels in previously tagged birds for which blood had been collected by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The samples included 32 individuals, with 17 males and 15 females. Males had a mean blood lead level of 0.0283±.0072 mg/L and females had a mean blood lead level of 0.0862 ±0.0866 mg/L (see figure 1). Statistical tests of blood lead level and gender, distance to Greens Creek Mine and distance to Juneau, Alaska all showed non-significance. Future studies focusing on individuals with known breeding areas as well as age class should be conducted.Faculty mentor: Heidi Pearso
