Survey Metadata

In June 1995, samples of balsam fir twigs were collected from 365 locations within a 1600 km² area of southwestern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia.  There are seasonal variations in the chemistry of twigs, therefore the survey was completed as quickly as possible (less than three weeks).  The data are published in Geological Survey of Canada Open File 3344.

At most sites, where possible, a stream water sample was also collected.  Samples were also collected at five sites outside the study area, east of Lake Ainslie in NTS 11K/3.  The data have not yet been published.

At each sample location, 200-250 g of fresh twigs and needles were snipped using teflon-coated garden pruning snips.  Usually 5-7 twigs comprising 5-7 years growth was sufficient.  Within the survey area, this amount of growth is commonly 35-40 cm length of twig.  It is important to maintain a consistent ration of twig bark to twig wood, because many of the heavy metals are located in the bark, and not in the tissue of the twig.  Twig samples were placed in heavy-duty brown paper bags and secured with masking tape.