Canada’s National Aquatic Biological Specimen Bank and Database

Environment Canada collects biological samples from a number of lakes and rivers across Canada in support of federally mandated programs. Environment Canada has collected fish and invertebrates from the Great Lakes since 1977 in support of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). More recently, samples have been collected nationally to support Canada's Chemicals Management Plan and the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda. Environment Canada also maintains a specimen bank of frozen tissues which is a requirement of the GLWQA and is an integral part of departmental monitoring and research programs. The National Aquatic Biological Specimen Bank (NABSB) is located in a dedicated facility at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington, Ontario. The NABSB holds more than 37,000 samples of fish and invertebrates collected over the last 30+ years of environmental monitoring in Canada. Research conducted using samples from the NABSB has produced more than 60 scientific publications, reports and book chapters.

Specimen Collection

• The primary targets for collection are top predator fish species such as lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), walleye (Sander vitreus), and lake whitefish(Coregonus clupeaformis)
• Forage fish species targeted for collection vary by waterbody. In the Great Lakes these are typically alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), and slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus)
• Plankton (>153 µm) and two key components of the profundal food web (Mysis relicta and Diporeia hoyi) are also targeted for collection at monitoring sites in the Great Lakes

Storage Conditions

Each specimen is homogenized and divided into 5 to 15 subsamples of ~20 g. All samples are stored at -80°C in a dedicated climate-controlled building with continuous monitoring of security and storage conditions. In the event of power failure, electricity to the facility is maintained by backup generators. In the event of mechanical failure in any of the freezer units, temperature sensors will trigger the release of liquid CO₂ to maintain freezing temperatures until the specimens can be manually transferred to another freezer.

Information Management

All information related to the NABSB is maintained within a secured relational database. All specimens received and/or collected are registered and assigned with successive and unique identification numbers. The database maintains all biological data (length, age, etc.) associated with each specimen number as well as data with regard to location, collection methods, storage and the results of all chemical analyses that have been performed on the specimen. We are continually working to improve the database to increase its functionality and access to the data within.

Access to Specimens

Tissue samples from the NABSB are available for collaborative research projects. The release of specimens for research purposes will adhere to Environment Canada’s policy which follows these general principles:

• The research proposed has been reviewed for scientific merit
• There is sufficient tissue to issue without unduly depleting the total specimen.  If a request would exhaust the remaining tissue then the rationale for issuing it will be stringent
• Other means of obtaining the information have been explored and are not possible
• Co-authorship will be given on resulting publications along with acknowledgement of the NABSB

For more information on the process to initiate a request for samples and/or data from the NABSB please contact NABSB@ec.gc.ca.

Science and Technology into Action to Benefit Canadians - Environment Canada's National Environmental Specimen Banks: Following a chemical trail from the past

Date modified:

2013-07-23