For Killer Whales, Computer Models Track PCB Levels

When determining the long-term effects on an animal of polychlorinated biphenyls, some species are easy to evaluate. They may be small, easy to capture, and have relatively short life spans. But whatus a scientist to do when the species is huge, hard to track and lives up to 90 years? That was the problem facing Brendan E. Hickie of Trent University in Ontario and colleagues who were trying to evaluate the PCB exposure of killer whales in the northeastern Pacific. The regionus whales are endangered for several reasons, including a salmon diet that leads to intensive bioaccumulation of PCBs...