title: Methodology for in situ gas sampling, transport and laboratory analysis of gases from stranded cetaceans.
abstract: Gas-bubble lesions were described in cetaceans stranded in spatio-temporal concordance with naval exercises using high-powered sonars. A behaviourally induced decompression sickness-like disease was proposed as a plausible causal mechanism, although these findings remain scientifically controversial. Investigations into the constituents of the gas bubbles in suspected gas embolism cases are highly desirable. We have found that vacuum tubes, insulin syringes and an aspirometer are reliable tools for in situ gas sampling, storage and transportation without appreciable loss of gas and without compromising the accuracy of the analysis. Gas analysis is conducted by gas chromatography in the laboratory. This methodology was successfully applied to a mass stranding of sperm whales, to a beaked whale stranded in spatial and temporal association with military exercises and to a cetacean chronic gas embolism case. Results from the freshest animals confirmed that bubbles were relatively free of gases associated with putrefaction and consisted predominantly of nitrogen.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Histology and Pathology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Animal Health, Veterinary School, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Trasmontaña, s/n, 35416, Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain.
authors.forename: Yara
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bernaldo de Quirós
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: González-Díaz
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saavedra
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arbelo
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sierra
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sacchini
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Jepson
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzariol
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Guardo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005740:Gases; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D013594:Syringes; D013696:Temperature; D014907:Whales / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen