Marine Toxicity (PCBs, PAHs) in Proximity to Oil Spills, Southern Resident Killer Whales, and Local Fish Populations of the Puget Sound and Salish Sea
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Work was produced for non-profit organization Wild Orca based in Washington State.
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Toxin sources include motor oil, hydraulic oil, electrical components, and burned household materials.
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Oil spills shown in heat map (red/black), PAHs (yellow), PCBs (green), herring spawn (orange), Chinook habitat (blue), known orca localities (blue and purple pins).
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Positive correlation discovered between oil spill localities and the presence of toxic byproducts such as polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
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Hypothesis: Oil and other hazardous spills are affecting herring spawn locations. Herring is the primary food source of Chinook salmon and Chinook salmon is the primary food source of resident killer whales (orcas).
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Washington State Oil Spills Causes > 5gal, in Proximity to Chinook Salmon Habitats
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Work was produced for non-profit organization Wild Orca based in Washington State.
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Oil spill localities affecting the streams of Chinook salmon spawning habitats (blue).
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Events are shown by volume of spill (size) and causation (color).
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"Human Error" causation due to genuine mistakes and preventable negligence.
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Hypothesis: Massive associative impacts on local marine wildlife and food web exists within the Puget Sound and Salish Sea due to accumulated oil and related toxic substance spills.