Originally published Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Comments (0) 
E-mail article 
Print view
Study: Sound orcas eating more toxic salmon
A new study suggests that Puget Sound killer whales appear to be more contaminated than northern orcas because they're eating salmon that is more toxic.
A new study suggests that Puget Sound killer whales appear to be more contaminated than northern orcas because they're eating salmon that is more toxic.
Researchers measuring the presence of toxic chemicals in chinook salmon, a prime food for the whales, found higher levels in salmon from Puget Sound than from British Columbia waters.
Canadian and Washington scientists found that chinook from Puget Sound had lower fat content and were less nutritious than salmon tested further north.
Researchers think the low fat content is leading Puget Sound orcas to eat 50 percent more salmon, leading to more toxic exposure.
The researchers tested adult salmon and smolts from the Duwamish River in Seattle and the Tumwater Falls Hatchery on the Deschutes River near Olympia. They also tested salmon from the Johnstone Strait and the mouth of the Fraser River in British Columbia.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
E-mail article
Print view
Digg
Newsvine
NEW - 12:56 AM
Arson suspect has long history of setting fires
NEW - 01:27 AM
Band of advocates, activists now McGinn's likely insiders
Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
NEW - 01:26 AM
Kirkland annex 'yes' could be slipping away
Licata looks at boosting traffic-ticket revenue
Opening day at Crystal Mountain
Skiers crowded the slopes at Crystal Mountain for one of the resort's earliest openings.
Video shows violent arrest by SPD
Fort Lewis Memorial
Highlights: Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Seattle International Cabaret Festival
Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Medal of Honor
Pelosi answers questions at Swedish Medical Center
Pelosi speaks at Swedish Medical Center
"Pistol" Pete Ryan
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos
Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
Open Houses | Find this weekend's open house listings.  Or search by location: |
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
- Razor found in muffin an accident, 'mortified' baker says
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract
- Suspect's family shaken by slaying of police officer
- Mountlake Terrace woman reports razor in muffin
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Police investigate videotaped arrest 628
- Seattle man to pack a pistol into community center to protest mayor's ban 180
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19 177
- GOP clueless as families struggle with health care 156
- ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too 125
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday 124
- Mariners sign Jack Wilson to 2-year contract 110
- Prosecutor weighs death penalty in police slaying 103
- Wright State game thread 96
- Person of interest in custody in connection with Greenwood arsons 93
- Light rail to airport to begin Dec. 19
- Homeless man, 46, arrested in Greenwood arsons
- Ivar's undersea billboards a hoax devised as marketing ploy
- Steve Kelley | ESPN's Bill Simmons gets us: He hates Clay Bennett, too
- Washington in race for federal education funds
- KVI talk radio host off the air as of Thursday
- Goodwill's Glitter Sale is Nov. 14-15
- Police investigate videotaped arrest
- Boeing: 787 fix is complete on first plane
- Seattle U. Men's Hoops | Big recruit goes from Huskies to Redhawks
