Destructive sampling natural science collections: an overview for museum professionals and researchers

There are many reasons why museum collections may be used for destructive sampling, from DNA and isotope analysis to radiocarbon dating. The process is invasive and destroys a part, or all, of the specimen. This can result in reluctance by museum staff to allow specimens to be used in particular types of scientific research. We will present some of the motivations on both sides, but argue that the benefits of destructive sampling can outweigh the risks. Many analytical methods have improved dramatically in the last 30 years, requiring smaller sample sizes. With a focus on destructive sampling for genetic analysis, we will also present some examples from the literature where DNA from museum and archaeological specimens has greatly aided the reconstruction of a species' evolutionary history as well as enriching our understanding of the object sampled. In addition, we highlight the need for museum staff to understand exactly what researchers are asking for, and for researchers in turn to understand museum procedures. We include an example of a Destructive Sampling Policy and a Destructive Sampling Request Form, for institutions to adapt for their own use

Destructive sampling natural science collections: an overview for museum professionals and researchers

There are many reasons why museum collections may be used for destructive sampling, from DNA and isotope analysis to radiocarbon dating. The process is invasive and destroys a part, or all, of the specimen. This can result in reluctance by museum staff to allow specimens to be used in particular types of scientific research. We will present some of the motivations on both sides, but argue that the benefits of destructive sampling can outweigh the risks. Many analytical methods have improved dramatically in the last 30 years, requiring smaller sample sizes. With a focus on destructive sampling for genetic analysis, we will also present some examples from the literature where DNA from museum and archaeological specimens has greatly aided the reconstruction of a species' evolutionary history as well as enriching our understanding of the object sampled. In addition, we highlight the need for museum staff to understand exactly what researchers are asking for, and for researchers in turn to understand museum procedures. We include an example of a Destructive Sampling Policy and a Destructive Sampling Request Form, for institutions to adapt for their own use

Prediction of destructive properties using descriptive analysis of nd measurements

Three groups of measurements related to peach maturity were acquired through destructive (D) mechanical tests (Magness Taylor Firmness, MTF), mechanical non destructive (ND) tests, and ND optical spectroscopy (Optical indexes). The relationship between these groups of variables was studied in order to estimate D mechanical measurements (MTF, with higher instrumental and sampling variability, time consuming, generally used as a reference for the assessment of peach handling), from ND measurements (quick, applicable on line, dealing better with the high variability found in fruit products). Multivariate exploratory analysis was used to extract the structure of the data. The information about the data structure of ND measurements, the relationship of MTF with the space defined by ND variables, and the expert knowledge regarding to the dataset was then used for modelling MTF (R 2 =0.72 and standard error on validation 5.73 N

Mapping and Characterizing Subtidal Oyster Reefs Using Acoustic Techniques, Underwater Videography and Quadrat Counts

Populations of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica have been in long-term decline in most areas. A major hindrance to effective oyster management has been lack of a methodology for accurately and economically obtaining data on their distribution and abundance patterns. Here, we describe early results from studies aimed at development of a mapping and monitoring protocol involving acoustic techniques, underwater videography, and destructive sampling (excavated quadrats). Two subtidal reefs in Great Bay, New Hampshire, were mapped with side-scan sonar and with videography by systematically imaging multiple sampling cells in a grid covering the same areas. A single deployment was made in each cell, and a 5-10-s recording was made of a 0.25-m2 area; the location of each image was determined using a differential global position system. A still image was produced for each of the cells and all (n = 40 or 44) were combined into a single photomontage overlaid onto a geo-referenced base map for each reef using Arc View geographic information system. Quadrat (0.25 m2 ) samples were excavated from 9 or 10 of the imaged areas on each reef, and all live oysters were counted and measured. Intercomparisons of the acoustic, video, and quadrat data suggest: (1) acoustic techniques and systematic videography can readily delimit the boundaries of oyster reefs; (2) systematic videography can yield quantitative data on shell densities and information on reef structure; and (3) some combination of acoustics, systematic videography, and destructive sampling can provide spatially detailed information on oyster reef characteristics

Antropológiai-régészeti együttműködés a biológiai antropológiai maradványok roncsolásos mintavételének szabályozására

With the development of the new investigative techniques based on destructive or invasive sampling in biology and chemistry, a necessity to elaborate a sampling policy has emerged. As it is important to conduct research and at the same time to preserve specimens, our recommendation intends to help in deciding whether or not to grant permission for destructive sampling, bearing in mind the importance of the conservation of archaeological heritage and cultural goods (collectively “the elements of our cultural heritage”). In 2015 the Anthropological Interdisciplinary Scientific Committee (AISC), Section of Biological Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (SBS, HAS) appointed a working group to give recommendation for a Destructive Sampling Protocol for Biological Anthropological Remains. The Recommendation was drawn up by this working group, named “Committee for Preparation Destructive Sampling Protocol of Biological Anthropological Remains” of the AISC, SBS, HAS, with the contributions of physical anthropologists and archaeologists of several institutes and museums, and the members of the Archaeological Scientific Committee, HAS. The Recommendation was read and approved by the Committee of Anthropology, SBS, HAS and Archaeological Scientific Committee, HAS, in 2017

Comparison of tomato root distributions by minirhizotron and destructive sampling

Abstract Calibration of minirhizotron data against root length density (RLD) was carried out in a field trial where three drip irrigation depths: surface (R0) and subsurface, 0.20 m (RI) and 0.40 m depth (RII) and two processing tomato cultivars: `Brigade' (CI) and `H3044' (CII) were imposed. For each treatment three minirhizotron tubes were located at 10, 37.5 and 75 cm of the way from one plant row to the next. Roots intersecting the minirizotrons walls were expressed as root length intensity (L a) and number of roots per unit of minirhizotron wall area (N ra). Root length density (RLD) was calculated from core samples taken for each minirhizotron tube at two locations: near the top of the minirhizotron (BI) and 15 cm apart from it, facing the minirhizotron wall opposite the plant row (BII). Minirhizotron data were regressed against RLD obtained at BI and BII and with their respective means. The results show that for all the situations studied, better correlations were obtained when RLD was regressed with L a than with N ra. Also was evident that the relationship between L a and RLD was strongly influenced by the location of soil coring. RLD was correlated with L a trough linear and cubic equations, having the last ones higher determination coefficients. For instance at 10 cm from the plant row when values from the top layer (0–40 cm) were analysed separately, L a was significantly regressed with RLD measured at BII and described by the equations: RLD = 0.5448 + 0.0071 L a (R 2 = 0.51) and RLD = 0.4823 + 0.0074L a + 8×10–5 L a 2 – 5×10–7 L a 3 (R 2 = 0.61). Under the 40 cm depth the highest coefficients of determination for the linear and cubic equations were respectively 0.47 and 0.88, found when L a was regressed with RLD measured at BI. For minirhizotrons located at 75 cm from the plant row and for location BI it was possible to analyse jointly data from all depths with coefficients of determination of 0.45 and 0.59 for the linear and cubic equations respectively

A simple field based method for rapid wood density estimation for selected tree species in Western Kenya

Wood density is an important variable for accurate quantification of woody biomass and carbon stocks. Conventional destructive methods for wood density estimation are resource intensive, prohibiting their use, limiting the application of approaches that would minimize uncertainties in tree biomass estimates. We tested an alternative method involving tree coring with a carpenter's auger to estimate wood density of seven tropical tree species in Western Kenya. We used conventional water immersion method to validate results from the auger core method. The mean densities (and 95% confidence intervals) ranged from 0.36 g cm−3 (0.25–0.47) to 0.67 g cm−3 (0.61–0.73) for the auger core method, and 0.46 g cm−3 (0.42–0.50) to 0.67 g cm−3 (0.61–0.73) for the water immersion method. The auger core and water immersion methods were not significantly different for four out of seven tree species namely; Acacia mearnsii, Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus grandis and Grevillea robusta. However, wood densities estimated from the auger core method were lower (t (61) = 7.992, P = <0.001). The ease of the auger core method application, as a non-destructive method in acquiring wood density data, is a worthy alternative in biomass and carbon stocks quantification. This method could protect trees outside forests found in most parts of Africa

Electrochemistry reveals archaeological materials

The characterization of materials constituting cultural artefacts is a challenging step in their conservation, due to the object’s uniqueness and the reduced number of conservation institutes able to supply non-destructive analysis. We propose an alternative analytical tool, which combines accessibility (low cost and portable) and high sensitivity, based on electrochemical linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) with paraffin impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE). To investigate the composition of “white alloys” that certainly have been used as decoration on copper-based Roman fibulae, sampling was done very locally by gently rubbing the selected areas with the PIGE. LSV results evidence the presence of silver, lead, and tin, supporting the argument provided by typological analysis that these metals were used for decoration