RE: radiolabeled toads

["Neil, David M" <neildm@id.doe.gov>]

There was some talk of doing a similar study here on the INEEL about six
or so years ago.  I was asked about transporting rattlesnakes which
would be radioactively labeled with a metabolic tracer (HTO? I don't
recall for certain).  I don't know if the study was actually done, but
Dr Markham at the Environmental Science and Research Foundation might be
able to steer you the right way.  His address is
mailto:markhamd@esrf.org. I cc'd him on this message so it wouldn't be a
complete surprise. 

Dave Neil
neildm@id.doe.gov

On Thursday, December 03, 1998 12:02 PM, Jim F. Herrold
[SMTP:Herrold@UWYO.EDU] wrote:
> RADSAFERS:
> 
> Are there any NRC or state licensee out there who have recently
(within the
> last seven years) been approved for field studies involving tagging
and
> releasing amphibians? Our local Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit has
> proposed implanting 100 microcuries of Ta-182 in toads to track them
before
> and during hibernation. I asked them to dig up references and all they
could
> produce were studies conducted in the 1950s and 60s. The regulatory
climate
> has cooled  lately where releases of radioactive materials to the
> environment are concerned. It would help my evaluation and smooth our
> application to the NRC if I can refer to similar studies that have
been
> approved in the last few years.
> 
> I would really appreciate all the information I can get my hands on,
> especially approved techniques and instrumentation. They want to tag
the
> toads in August of 1999, and I know from past experience that I need
to get
> my application to the NRC as soon as possible.
> 
> Conversely, if no one is using this technique anymore, what
alternatives are
> out there? The Co-op unit tried radio transmitters and found them to
be
> stressful on the small creatures and not very reliable tracking
devices.
> Despite the obvious radiation hazards to researcher and toads, and
risk of
> losing licensed materials to predators, are there other reasons why
this
> technique should not be used?
> 
> Thanks in advance for your help.
> 
> Jim Herrold
> Radiation Safety Officer
> University of Wyoming
> 
> (307) 766-3277
> herrold@uwyo.edu
>
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