Chemical studies of killer whale diet in the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea, 2003-2005, Wade, P.

These data are part of a study detailed in Wade et al. (2006, North Pacific Research Board Final Report 411/535,
http://doc.nprb.org/web/05_prjs/535_final_report.pdf). Chemical tracers—stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen;
persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and fatty acid profiles—were measured in killer whales (Orcinus orca) and their prey
from the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea and were used to provide insight into the diet of killer whales in this region. Chemical
methods used are described in Krahn et al. (2004, J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 6:175–189), Herman et al. (2005, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.
302:275-291) and Krahn et al.( 2007, Mar. Env. Res. 63:91-114 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2006.07.002). Biopsy samples
were collected from killer whales and other cetaceans during 2003-2005. The blubber acquired from these biopsy samples was analyzed
for fatty acids and POPs and the epidermis, when available, for stable isotope ratios. POPs analyzed include PCBs, DDTs, chlordanes,
HCHs, and PBDEs. Results from this study are included in Krahn et al. (2007, Mar. Env. Res. 63:91-114). These datasets were archived as part of the North Pacific Research Board legacy project recovery effort undertaken by Axiom Data Science and NPRB in 2025. The goal of the recovery effort was to assess the NPRB-funded data projects from 2002 to 2014 and archive final data packages that were ready for publication to increase long-term accessibility and discoverability. Data packages were archived as is given limited funding and resources.