Nuclear microscopy study of fish scales

Abstract Fish scales are useful to ichthyologists for purposes of classification, identification, age determination and history study. So far, all studies of fish scales, for whatsoever purposes, have relied on the use of optical or electron microscopes to study their form and structure. Employing the NUS nuclear microscope, we measured the concentrations of Sr, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Cr, As, Se, Br and Pb in the scales of 17 fish species. The objective was to test the hypotheses that the trace elements in scales could be used for species differentiation, and that the fish scale could potentially be used as a monitor for the environment. Our preliminary results gave positive indications.