HMSRP Hawaiian Monk Seal Contaminants (Blubber, serum, and whole blood persistent organic pollutants) Data

This data set contains information on persistent organic pollutant analysis of Hawaiian monk seal whole blood and blubber samples from the northwestern Hawaiian islands (samples collected 1998-2001) and serum and blubber samples from the main Hawaiian islands (samples collected 2000-2010). Samples were collected from both live animals during handling for other purposes (health assessment or telemetry device application) and dead animals through necropsy. Data is available in excel spreadsheets.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is the lead agency responsible for the recovery of the Hawaiian monk seal. Persistent organic pollutants have been shown to cause detrimental effects in various body systems of other mammal, marine mammal, and pinniped species at high concentrations. Contaminants in blood, serum, and blubber of Hawaiian monk seals were measured in order to assess the concentration of select contaminants on Hawaiian monk seals to see if these compounds may be at levels that are shown to have effects in other species.

IRC

1845 Wasp Blvd., Building 176

Honolulu, HI 96818

NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Data Access, Sharing, and Dissemination Guidelines.

Requestor will be asked to submit a request to Jessica Bohlander (Jessica.Bohlander@noaa.gov).

NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division, Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program Data Access, Sharing, and Dissemination Guidelines.

Use of the data set would ideally be cleared with NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division. These data are PRELIMINARY and have not be completely screened for accuracy. NOAA can not be held liable for use of these data in a manner other than for perusal of preliminary data. The developers of these data are concerned with assuring its proper use. Before data are used to draw specific scientific conclusions, potential users are requested to contact NMFS/PIFSC, Protected Species Division for background on the data. Acknowledgement of the data should be cited. Different versions of the dataset may exist. The user must be sure to use the appropriate data set for the time period of interest. While efforts have been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages or misrepresentation caused by any inaccuracies in the data or as a result of changes to the data caused by system transfers.

Data are collected both during dedicated efforts and opportunistically at Hawaiian monk seal haulout locations during variable-length field seasons over multiple years.

Contaminant concentrations may vary over time and by animal history. Seal size/sex classes are not equally represented in the data set.

Seal size/sex classes are not equally represented in the data set.

Seal size/sex classes are not equally represented in the data set.

Quality control procedures for data collection follow the methods of Sloan, C.A., Brown, D.W., Pearce, R.W., Boyer, R.H., Balton, J.L., Burrows, D.G., Herman, D.P., Krahn, M.M., 2004. Extraction, Cleanup, and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Sediments and Tissues for Organic Contaminants. US Department of Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo.NMFSNWFSC-59, pp. 47.

Not applicable

Data are backed-up daily per PIFSC's Information Technology Services security policies.

This data consists of raw wet weight contaminant concentrations that have not been converted to other units or further processed.