Roland Klein

Biomonitoring and environmental specimen banking.

The environmental specimen banking program (ESB) of the Federal Republic of Germany implies a collection of specimens from representative areas of Germany, stored under stable conditions for deferred analysis. It is an important part of the ecological assessment program. The ecological concept is presented as the frame of the entire ESB program. It is based on the selection of representative sampling areas and specimens. Standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for sampling and characterization of specimens, as well as sampling designs specific to the areas, are presented as further important parts of the quality assurance system in relation to the correct sampling of specimens.

No microplastics in benthic eelpout (Zoarces viviparus): An urgent need for spectroscopic analyses in microplastic detection.

Monitoring the ingestion of microplastics is challenging and suitable detection techniques are insufficiently used. Thus, misidentifying natural for synthetic microfibres cannot be avoided. As part of a framework to monitor the ingestion of microplastics in eelpout, this short report addresses the accurate identification of microfibres. We show that, following visual inspections, putatively synthetic microfibres are indeed of natural origin, as ascertained by spectrometric analyses. Consequently, we call for an inclusion of spectroscopic techniques in standardized microplastic monitoring schemes.

Standardization of Egg Collection from Aquatic Birds for Biomonitoring - A Critical Review

Collecting bird eggs is an established method of biomonitoring for specific pollution hazards. One of the most critical problems with this method is the extreme biological variability in bird eggs, but standardizing the collection and preservation of eggs can reduce these problems. Furthermore, standard practices are required so that the results can be compared among studies because mistakes cannot be corrected by laboratory analysis. Therefore, a standard procedure for collecting and preserving bird eggs may be necessary. The objective of this review is to investigate the current standard of quality assurance in the field by analyzing 86 peer-reviewed papers describing egg collection and use for aquatic birds. We show that little attention has been paid to standardizing how eggs are collected and stored in the field. Important information is often absent, including crucial aspects of sample collection and preservation, such as the freshness of the eggs, the position of the eggs in the laying sequence, the selection criteria, random sampling, and the duration and temperature of transport. Potential standards are suggested and discussed as a foundation for the development of quality assurance standards in the field.

The German wildlife information system: population densities and development of European Hare (Lepus europaeus PALLAS) during 2002–2005 in Germany

The German Wildlife Information System, founded in 2001, is a long-term monitoring program documenting occurrence, number, and development of game populations throughout Germany. Population numbers are recorded by standardized counting methods in so-called reference areas. The population densities of the European hare are calculated by spotlight strip censuses in the reference areas each spring and autumn all across Germany. From 2002 to 2005, the censuses were carried out by local hunters in 510 to 676 reference areas each year. During these years, the calculated spring densities increased significantly from 11.0 (2002) to 14.5 hares/km2 (2005) nationwide. The overall increase in spring densities was primarily caused by the population rise from spring 2003 to 2004, which correlates with the high net growth rate in 2003. In 2005, the number of counted hares varied between less than 1 and more than 107 hares/km2 in spring and between 0 and more than 170 hares/km2 in autumn. Because of differing landscapes in Germany, three regions were differentiated. In spring 2005, the average population densities (median) in East Germany (5.4 hares/km2) and Southwest Germany (14.6 hares/km2) were significantly lower than in Northwest Germany (23.9 hares/km2). These regional differences had been similarly distinct in former years.

Assuring quality in microplastic monitoring: About the value of clean-air devices as essentials for verified data

Avoiding aerial microfibre contamination of environmental samples is essential for reliable analyses when it comes to the detection of ubiquitous microplastics. Almost all laboratories have contamination problems which are largely unavoidable without investments in clean-air devices. Therefore, our study supplies an approach to assess background microfibre contamination of samples in the laboratory under particle-free air conditions. We tested aerial contamination of samples indoor, in a mobile laboratory, within a laboratory fume hood and on a clean bench with particles filtration during the examining process of a fish. The used clean bench reduced aerial microfibre contamination in our laboratory by 96.5%. This highlights the value of suitable clean-air devices for valid microplastic pollution data. Our results indicate, that pollution levels by microfibres have been overestimated and actual pollution levels may be many times lower. Accordingly, such clean-air devices are recommended for microplastic laboratory applications in future research work to significantly lower error rates.

The German wildlife information system (WILD): population densities and den use of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and badgers (Meles meles) during 2003-2007 in Germany

Monitoring the populations of badgers and red foxes may help us to manage these predator species as a matter of wildlife conservation and regulation. To fit the needs of a monitoring programme, the most practicable method has to be selected. Hunting bag statistics deliver large but inaccurate data amounts with low effort. Indirect and also often direct counts might deliver only presence–absence data with high effort. Direct counts with high accuracy are very costly. Den mapping by volunteer local hunters can deliver reliable data on density and additional biological variables while being feasible and cost effective. Within reference areas all over Germany, fox and badger dens and litters were recorded, and spring and summer densities estimated as well as potential annual population increases were calculated for 2003–2007. Habitat preferences for breeding dens were also analysed. Additionally, in 2006, the distribution of badgers was surveyed by a nationwide questionnaire. Fox and badger are distributed all over Germany with some small gaps and regionally differing densities. During the monitoring period, fox and badger densities and reproduction stayed stable, at a high level corresponding to hunting bags. However, densities varied between geographical regions, with lower densities in the sparsely wooded lowland regions. A preference for forest and habitats offering shelter was clear for breeding setts and dens. Badgers especially preferred setts of natural origin.

Biomonitoring und Umweltprobenbank: I. Das ökologische Rahmenkonzept zur Qualitätssicherung in der Umweltprobenbank des Bundes

ZusammenfassungDie Umweltprobenbank des Bundes ist als eine Sammlung von veränderungsfrei gelagerten Umweltproben aus repräsentativen Gebieten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland für spätere Analysen ein wichtiger Baustein der Ökologischen Umweltbeobachtung. Ihr ökologisches Konzept wird als Rahmen des Gesamtprogrammes vorgestellt. Es basiert auf der Auswahl von Probenahmegebieten und Umweltproben, deren ökologische Repräsentativität definiert und erläutert wird. Darauf aufbauend werden Probenahmerichtlinien (Standard Operating Procedures, SOPs), Probencharakterisierung und gebietsbezogene Probenahmepläne als weitere Bausteine des Rahmenkonzeptes zur Qualitätssicherung im Gesamtkomplex der Gewinnung aussagefähiger Umweltproben beschrieben.

Biomonitoring und Umweltprobenbank: IV: Die Rolle der biometrischen Probencharakterisierung in der Umweltanalytik am Beispiel der Fichte (Picea abies)

ZusammenfassungEine wichtige Voraussetzung zur Erlangung reproduzierbarer Aussagen im passiven Biomonitoring mit Akkumulationsindikatoren ist die weitestgehende Standardisierung der Probenahmeverfahren, um zu unterschiedlichen Zeiten oder an unterschiedlichen Orten gewonnene Proben ausreichend miteinander vergleichen zu können. Aufgrund der Dynamik von Ökosystemen und ihrer Einmaligkeit wird es aber dennoch nicht gelingen, vollständig vergleichbare Proben zu gewinnen. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird am Beispiel des Schädlingsbefalls an Fichtennadeln sowie der nadelgröße beim Einsatz der Fichte (Picea abies) als Akkumulationsindikator die Bedeutung einer umfassenden biometrischen Probenbeschreibung dargestellt, um diesen nicht standardisierbaren Zustand der Proben dokumentieren und ihn bei der Interpretation rückstandsanalytisch erhobener Daten berücksichtigen oder gar als Korrekturgröße einsetzen zu können.Durch den Befall von saugenden Insekten, insbesondere der FichtengallenlausAdelges laricis, wird der Gehalt der Makronährelemente Kalium, Calcium und Magnesium in unterschiedlicher Tendenz in den Fichtennadeln beeinflußt.Die Nadelgröße ist insbesondere für die Gehalte atmosphärisch getragener Substanzen, hier die PAK und Blei, von Bedeutung, da kleine Nadeln eine vergleichsweise große relative (Adsorptions-) Oberfläche bei geringer Gesamtnadelmasse besitzen, und damit im Vergleich zu großen Nadeln bei gleichen Umweltbedingungen höhere Stoffbelastungen vortäuschen können.

Biometric sample characterization. Part I : The influence of the infestation with insects to element concentrations in spruce needles

The standardization of sampling procedures is one of the most important prerequisites for getting reproducible results in biomonitoring. Nevertheless, it is not possible to sample specimens of a single species which are fully comparable because of the high temporal dynamic of ecosystems causing inherent variability of each specimen type. Biometric sample characterization may describe in detail this unique state of samples. It is a very important tool for the correct assessment of environmental pollution. The sampling operating procedures of the German Environmental Specimen Banking Programme include a list of suitable biometric parameters for each specimen type that fulfill this function. This will be shown by two examples. Part I of this publication demonstrates the influence of infestation with insects to needles of spruce [Picea abies] on concentrations of elements and Part II the relation between the size of needles and concentrations of airborne pollutants.

Anwendung von UPB-Strategien zur Qualitätssicherung in der Umweltüberwachung

ZusammenfassungAufgrund der hohen Anforderungen an Repräsentativität und Reproduzierbarkeit mußten im Rahmen der Umweltprobenbank des Bundes inbesondere für die der Analytik vorgeschalteten Freilandarbeiten spezielle Strategien entwickelt werden. Zum Abschluß der vorliegenden Beitragsserie werden diese nochmals zusammenfassend dargestellt und an den Beispielen Umweltmonitoring, Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung und Umwelthaftung Möglichkeiten aufgezeigt, wie sie auch in anderen Bereichen der Umweltüberwachung zur Verbesserung der Qualitätssicherung genutzt werden können.