Methods
The following pages deal in detail with some of the methods used for the preparation, examination and analysis of otoliths for use in daily and yearly ageing, as well as elemental and radiocarbon analysis. For methods dealing with the age interpretation of skates and rays or sharks, visit our sister sites.
The intention of placing these pages on the web is to provide the learning information and technical tips required to allow those learning or using otolith techniques to do so with this site alone. The information is designed primarily for workers undertaking these applications for the first time, but the methods described are those used by experienced workers.
Instruction Videos
- Otolith removal
- Embedding otoliths in epoxy in preparation for thin sectioning
- Thin sectioning with the Isomet 1000 saw at the Univ of Iceland
- Preparing thin sections of individual otoliths or shark vertebrae
- Mass production sectioning of otoliths
- Otolith ageing with the crack and burn method
- Sectioning and imaging large shark vertebrae
- Decontaminating otoliths for elemental or isotopic assay
- Micromilling otoliths
- Use of the Micromill at the Univ of Iceland
Otolith microstructure
Otolith annuli
Elemental and isotopic assays