Project Information

Title: Isotope Ratio Studies of Marine Mammals in PWS 97170

Project Year and Number: 1997: 97170

Other Fiscal Years and Numbers for this Project: 1998: 98170-CLO, 1996: 96170

Principal Investigator (PI): Donald Schell (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Managing Agency: ADFG

Assisting Personnel: Amy Hirons

Research Location: Prince William Sound, Gulf of Alaska

Restoration Category: Research

Injured Resources Addressed: Harbor Seals

Abstract: This project uses natural stable isotope ratios to assess trophic structure and food webs in Prince William Sound and contributes to the studies by ADFG personnel to determine the reasons for the decline of harbor seal populations. Through a mix of captive animal studies, comparison of isotope ratios in archived and current marine mammal tissues and their potential prey species in Prince William Sound, insight into environmental changes causing the decline may be possible. In addition, by providing analytical services for mass spectrometry the project contributes to the SEA (/320) program's effort to describe the food chains supporting commercial fishes impacted by the oil spill.


Proposal: Not Available

Reports:
Annual Report FY97: View (1,759 KB)
Final Report: See Project 98170-CLO

Publications from this Project: None Available