Abstract:
The project has three primary components, namely 1) age determination, 2) analysis of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other classes of organic contaminants, and (3)
assessment of selected biomarkers of effects of stressors. The results achieved to date
will be described separately in this report. Samples (eye lens, serum, blubber, and liver)
were acquired by a team of scientists led by Dr. Robert Suydam (North Slope Borough,
Department of Wildlife Management; NSB) during the 2012 subsistence harvest of
beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) by the community of Point Lay, Alaska. The list
of samples collected for age determination and biomarker analyses, together with
morphometric and other data for each whale appears in Table 1. In addition, samples of
liver and blubber were collected and sent to Mote Marine Laboratory for the contaminant
analyses.
Description:
pdf 40 p., progress report, discussion and implications, results, acknowledgements, references, tables and appendix.
