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Microsampling of Fish Otoliths: A Comparison Between DM 2800 and Dremel in Stable Isotope Analysis

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Abstract

This paper describes and compares two microsampling methods, DM 2800 and Dremel, which were used in taking aragonite samples from otolith zones of cod, Gadus morhua, for stable isotope analysis. There were no significant differences between the two sampling methods both in carbon and oxygen isotope ratios (13C/12C, 18O/16O) and in annual and seasonal otolith zones. The possible ‘finite effect’ with Dremel could be minimized or negligible by selecting otoliths of younger fishes. Thus, Dremel may be accepted as a convenient microsampling method in stable isotope analysis of otoliths.

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Gao, Y. Microsampling of Fish Otoliths: A Comparison Between DM 2800 and Dremel in Stable Isotope Analysis. Environmental Biology of Fishes 55, 443–448 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007505731740

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007505731740

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