Rapid Dissolution of Avian Eggshells Buried by Mount St Helens Ash

Authors

James L. Hayward, Andrews UniversityFollow
Karl F. Hirsch, University of Colorado
Theodore C. Robertson, Boston University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1991

Abstract

Eggshells of ring-billed gulls buried by Mount St Helens ash at an eastern Washington colony were excavated one and seven years following the ashfall. These were compared to unburied eggshells. Physical dissolution of the eggshell had already begun during the first year of burial. After seven years most features of the eggshell had been lost, leaving a honeycombed mass. Physical dissolution was attributable to weak acids leaching through the ash. -from Authors

Journal Title

Palaios

Volume

6

Issue

2

First Page

174

Last Page

178

DOI

https://doi.org/10.2307/3514881

First Department

Biology

Recommended Citation

Hayward, James L.; Hirsch, Karl F.; and Robertson, Theodore C., "Rapid Dissolution of Avian Eggshells Buried by Mount St Helens Ash" (1991). Faculty Publications. 2624.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pubs/2624