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Alaskan marine mammal tissue archival project
P R Becker1, B J Koster, S A Wise
1Ocean Assessments Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Anchorage, Alaska 99513.
Biological Trace Element Research
|July 1, 1990
Summary
An Alaskan marine mammal tissue archive was established in 1987 for biomonitoring. Initial analysis of northern fur seal tissues confirmed existing trace element levels, supporting future pollution studies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Marine Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Established in 1987, the archive is part of the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB).
- Focuses on Alaskan marine mammal tissues for long-term monitoring.
- Addresses the need for historical data on environmental contaminants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish and detail protocols for an Alaskan marine mammal tissue archive.
- To conduct an initial evaluation of trace element levels in northern fur seals.
- To provide a resource for future comparative pollution studies.
Main Methods:
- Summarizes protocols for field collection, long-term storage, and analysis of marine mammal specimens.
- Utilizes Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) for trace element quantification.
- Analyzes tissue samples from northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) from the Pribilof Islands.
Main Results:
- Confirms previously observed trace element levels in northern fur seal tissues.
- Demonstrates the feasibility of establishing and maintaining a marine mammal tissue archive.
- Provides baseline data for northern fur seals from the Pribilof Islands.
Conclusions:
- The archived specimens are valuable for future research comparing past and present pollution levels.
- The NBSB archive supports long-term environmental health monitoring of marine ecosystems.
- This initiative provides a critical resource for understanding contaminant trends in Alaskan marine mammals.