Quality assurance in analysis of cryogenically stored liver tissue specimens from the NIST National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB).

Portions of liver tissue specimens originally stored in the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB) and analyzed between 1980 and 1987 were re-analyzed in 1997 using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) for the determination of 17 trace elements. Duplicate portions of each specimen had been stored at two different temperatures. The first was stored in a liquid nitrogen vapor-cooled freezer at -150 degrees C, standard NBSB storage conditions, and the other in an electric freezer maintained at -80 degrees C. Two portions of seven livers from each storage temperature were re-analyzed for this work. Results showed no changes in trace element content as a function of storage temperature, within the uncertainty of the method used. Results from these analyses agreed with results of initial analyses for most analytes in most sub-samples. Of the exceptions, five were due, in part, to an incorrect basis mass for the initial sub-specimen of one tissue, five with variable Zn results were attributed to difficulties in peak fitting for this element during INAA data processing, and the remaining were isolated differences discussed in this paper. Results of this work indicate that specimen storage and processing protocols are adequate to prevent noticeable contamination of specimens with trace elements, with the exception of Cr. Variability in Cr content was observed for the liver tissues which may have been caused by Cr contamination of the samples by the Teflon mill. Analyses of portions of Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1566a Oyster Tissue (certified in 1989) and SRM 1577a Bovine Liver (certified in 1982) were also included in this study for the purpose of quality control and to assess the stability of these freeze-dried powders that were stored at room temperature. No changes were observed in these materials.

Concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons and trace elements in marine mammal tissues archived in the U.S. National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank.

The U.S. National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB) provides for the long term storage of well documented and preserved specimens representing several types of environmental matrices. A major part of this inventory consists of marine mammal tissues (e.g., blubber, liver, kidney, and muscle). Within the NBSB selected specimens are periodically analyzed for chlorinated hydrocarbons and trace elements. Although only 20% of the 560 marine mammal specimens in the NBSB have been analyzed, the database is of value in evaluating the stability of analytes and sample degradation during storage, for comparing with results from samples collected in the future for long-term monitoring, and for comparing with analytical results from other laboratories on samples collected at the same time for monitoring purposes. The NBSB analytical database contains results for 37 elements, many of which are not analyzed routinely by conventional analytical techniques used in monitoring programs, and the following organic compounds: selected PCB congeners. DDT compounds, alpha- and gamma-HCH, HCB, heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor, and dieldrin in 9 marine mammal species: northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), spotted seal (P. largha), bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus), pilot whale (Globicephala melas), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), and bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus). Analyses of beluga whale blubber for toxaphene and additional chlorinated hydrocarbons are obtained through collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Bioaccumulation of vanadium and other trace metals in livers of Alaskan cetaceans and pinnipeds.

Concentrations for 38 elements are routinely measured in the marine mammal liver tissues archived in the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB). Results show that hepatic concentrations of vanadium, selenium, silver, cadmium, and mercury are positively correlated with age for beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and of vanadium, selenium, cadmium, and mercury with length for ringed seals (Phoca hispada). Many researchers have reported linear correlations of hepatic selenium, cadmium, and mercury with marine mammal age; however, there is only one other report of a linear correlation of hepatic vanadium with marine mammal age. Vanadium levels are at or below detection limits (< or = 0.01 micrograms/g) in liver tissues of U.S. east coast marine mammals from the NBSB but are present at levels ranging from 0.02 to 1.2 micrograms/g of wet weight in the tissues of Alaskan marine mammals. Although only three bearded seal (Eriganthus barbatus) and three bow-head whale (Balaena mysticetus) liver samples have been analyzed, hepatic vanadium levels also increased with animal size for these species. The presence of relatively high levels of vanadium in the livers of these Alaskan animals may reflect a unique dietary source of vanadium, a unique geochemical source of vanadium, or anthropogenic input to the Alaskan marine environment.

Trace element concentrations in cetacean liver tissues archived in the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank.

The National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB), a collaborative project of several U.S. government agencies, includes marine mammal tissues collected for the Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project (AMMTAP) and the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB). Tissues were collected from 139 animals representing 13 species of marine mammals from around the U.S. Recently, concentrations for up to 30 elements in liver tissues of nine long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), six harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and four white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus acutus) from the NMMTB were measured using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Results from analyses of these tissues are presented, compared with results for liver tissues from other marine mammals from the AMMTAP, and compared with published values.

Determination of inorganic constituents in marine mammal tissues.

Analyses of selected tissues from the Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project (AMMTAP) have provided comprehensive information related to levels of 36 trace elements and methyl-mercury in marine mammal tissues. Liver, kidney and muscle tissues from two northern fur seals, four ringed seals and six belukha whales were analyzed. The bulk of the investigated tissues and additional tissues from a total of 65 marine mammals are banked in the AMMTAP. The results are compared to literature values for trace element concentrations in marine mammal tissues and their relevance to environmental studies is discussed.