Clare McEnally is a Master student in Ecotoxicology, and is studying the bioaccumulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Norwegian populations of killer whale. Her project is a joint collaboration between the University of Oslo (main supervisor Katrine Borgå, co-supervisor Anders Ruus), NMBU (co-supervisor Jan Ludvig Lyche) and Norwegian Orca Survey (co-supervisor Eve Jourdain).
Last year, Clare was one of the winners of Tekna’s master stipend, and received 20 000 NOK in order to participate in fieldwork for her master thesis. She travelled to Northern Norway several times throughout the year, and assisted with the collection of biopsy samples from wild killer whales. The blubber from these samples can be used for contaminant analysis, whilst the skin can be used for stable isotope analysis and quantification of mercury. Being involved in fieldwork has helped Clare in understanding how to collect and store biological samples, how to interpret whale behaviour, and not least how much patience is needed when working with wild animals!
A full report can be read (in Norwegian) on Tekna’s website.
