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Monitoring Contaminants in Seabirds: The Importance of Specimen Banking

Published

Author(s)

Stacy S. Vander-Pol, Paul R. Becker

Abstract

Historically, contaminants in seabird tissues were monitored by considering physically visible effects; however, subtle, sub-lethal effects are also important. Several long-term monitoring and specimen banking programs are in place for seabirds, and the present paper reviews recommendations for appropriate samples for banking. Current applications of specimen banking programs are discussed, including temporal comparisons (especially of emerging contaminants), comparison of analytical techniques, and development of reference materials. Recommendations for seabird tissue specimen banks include publication of available samples; standardized methods for collection, processing and storage of samples; and inclusion of information about sample collection conditions.
Citation
Marine Ornithology
Volume
35

Keywords

Contaminants, biomonitoring, specimen bank, tissue bank, seabirds

Citation

Vander-Pol, S. and Becker, P. (2007), Monitoring Contaminants in Seabirds: The Importance of Specimen Banking, Marine Ornithology, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=901968 (Accessed March 28, 2024)
Created November 13, 2007, Updated February 19, 2017