* Standarise the sampling methods from tissues and organs from arctic fox for organochlorine analyses * study the relationship between concentrations of organochlorines in blood samples and tissues * compare the levels of organochlorines in arctic foxes from Svalbard, Greenland and Russia
The Veterinary Institute (Oslo) has the following samples from arctic fox frozen at -20 degree C: 1985-from 58 animals, brain, liver, kidney and fat samples 1986-45 animals, brain, liver, kidney and fat 1986-24 animals, liver and kidney 1988-2 animals, liver and kidney 1990-5 animals, liver and kidney 1991-42 animals, brain 1994-33 animals, liver, muscle and fat 1995-1 animal, liver, kidney, muscle and fat 1996-9 animals, liver, kidney and muscle 1996-1 animal, liver, kidney, muscle and fat These samples are stored frozen for future. Plan unknown. The Norwegian Polar Institute has the following samples from arctic fox frozen at -20 degree C: 1996-97, 15 fox carcasses from 4 different areas on Svalbard 1997-98, 119 fox carcasses from 5 different areas on Svalbard 1998-99, 103 fox arcasses from 5 different areas on Svalbard 1999-2000, 100 fox carcasses from 5 different areas on Svalbard We have 10 arctic fox carcasses from Russia collected in 1999 (5 animals from Nizh Pesha and 5 animals from Amderma), all stored frozen at NP (-20 degrees C). We also have stored frozen samples of liver, kidney and fat from arctic foxes captured at 9 different locations on Greenland during 1991-1994. 1991, 5 animals 1992, 90 animals 1993, 151 animals 1994, 20 animals
Foxes are sampled from local trappers on Svalbard in the period November 1 to March 15. We plan to study time series of levels of POPs and heavy metals in the arcric fox population on Svalbard. For details on storage, see specimen banking (above)
National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada
Due to the infection risk analysing of samples have currently stoped. An "Isolate-facility" specifically designed for work with arctic foxes potentially infected with agents such as rabies and Echinococcus multilocularis, is planned according to current regulations to ensure no contamination/infection to personel or environment.