Bowhead whale faeces link increasing algal toxins in the Arctic to ocean warming.

ABSTRACT: Over the last two decades, ocean warming and rapid loss of sea ice have dramatically changed the Pacific Arctic marine environment^1-3. These changes are predicted to increase harmful algal bloom prevalence and toxicity, as rising temperatures and larger open water areas are more favourable for growth of some toxic algal species⁴. It is well known that algal toxins are transferred through food webs during blooms and can have negative impacts on wildlife and human health^5-7. Yet, there are no long-term quantitative reports on algal toxin presence in Arctic food webs to evaluate increasing exposure risks. In the present study, algal toxins were quantified in bowel samples collected from 205 bowhead whales harvested for subsistence purposes over 19 years. These

SUBMITTER: Lefebvre KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12367538 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature