The real world of environmental pollutants: New approaches to identifying priority contaminants in the Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale food web

The Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW, Orcinus orca) population is assessed at 75 individuals, and significant threats include high levels of endocrine disrupting contaminants, alongside other anthropogenic threats. Studies have painted a partial picture of the contaminants of concern in the SRKW food web. For example, preliminary studies of chinook salmon suggest that some resident populations are more contaminated than others which may be contributing to the high PCB burden in SRKW. This underscores the value of generating new information on contaminant concentrations and profiles in dominant prey species of this endangered whale population. This study presents a science- based evaluation of the contaminants found in their primary prey (Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), the development, adaptation and/or application of new tools to prioritise (rank) the pollutants of concern, and the delivery of refined guidance to support of the wider conservation agenda for this (and other) at risk species.

Faculty Supervisor:

Frank Gobas;Tanya Brown;Tanya M Brown

Student:

Partner:

Raincoast Conservation Foundation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program: