title: Nuclear fuel-cycle radionuclides in raptor castings: implications for environmental monitoring.
abstract: Our sampling results indicate that raptor castings (regurgitated material containing the nondigestible remains of prey) faithfully reflect the composition of known environmental gamma-emitting radionuclides. The castings are easily obtainable and provide a way to monitor for the presence of biologically available radionuclides. Raptor castings can also provide a useful adjunct to existing monitoring programs where small mammal burrowing into buried waste may occur.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001070:Appetitive Behavior; D001717:Birds; D005507:Food Contamination, Radioactive; D009678:Nuclear Energy; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011848:Radioactive Pollutants; D011868:Radioisotopes