ESB activities and co-ordination in Sweden
The Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) at the Swedish Museum of Natural History is an integrated part of the monitoring of contaminants in the Swedish environment.
The National Contaminant Monitoring Programme is carried out under the authority of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The programme started in 1980. Biotic samples from terrestrial, freshwater and marine reference sites are collected annually and are prepared and stored in the ESB. Sampling and preparation follows standard protocols (in Swedish) (see also the Manual on methods in use in the Nordic countries).
Samples of tissues and organs of certain rare and partly threatened species of birds and mammals that are killed, trapped, or found dead are, according to Swedish legislation on hunting and shooting rights (in Swedish) continuously prepared for the ESB.
The ESB has at its disposal samples of tissues and organs from more than 250,000 organisms, mostly from animals but also samples from plants (cf. moss). The sampling of material for the ESB started in 1964. The majority of the samples are stored at -25°C and a minor part at -80°C. Some types of samples are stored dry at +18°C. Organs and tissues are also stored in formaldehyde for biochemical and histopathological studies.
The ESB collaborates with other national specimen banks to set and follow international standards. Coordination of ESB in the Nordic countries has been carried out under the authority of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Specimens from the ESB are available for retrospective monitoring and research work into environmental contamination and bio-diversity. A written application should be addressed to the ESB. Samples will be supplied if the aim of the research falls within the scope of the ESB. Each order will be assessed in relation to the supply and demand of specimens. Clients should be aware that they will be charged for the preparation of samples.
List of institutions that store biotic specimens
- Umeå University, the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, the Department of Contaminant Research
For further information please contact:
Tjelvar Odsjö
Swedish Museum of Natural History
Department of Contaminant Research
P.O.Box 50007
SE-10405 Stockholm
Sweden
Phone: +46 8 5195 4113
Fax: +46 8 5195 4256
E-mail: tjelvar.odsjo@nrm.se
sweden.htm
Latest update: October 13, 2006
Responsible: Tjelvar Odsjö