Grant: Whale Science for Tomorrow

The endangered St. Lawrence Estuary beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) inhabits a marine ecosystem greatly impacted by upstream anthropogenic activities. This small population of around 900 individuals has not shown any sign of recovery in the past decades. An increase in the number of post-partum females and calves mortality has even been observed in recent years. The high contaminant exposure of belugas was suggested as one important threat to the health of belugas and the recovery of this population. Understanding the exposure of belugas to known and new contaminants as well as their possible exposure-related effects are key elements to ensure the conservation of this southernmost beluga population. This project will contribute to dress a global picture of the concentrations, trophic transfer and distribution of contaminants of priority concern in tissues of belugas. A general screening of all chemicals found in tissues will also be developed and analyzed to identify any new substances of interest using innovative non-targeted methods. Innovative new proteomic and transcriptomic techniques will be used to determine biological pathways that may be impacted by exposure to environmental contaminants in addition to a series of targeted health variables. Relationships between contaminant concentrations and biological endpoints will also be conducted in order to better understand the potential effects of the chemical exposure. In vitro testing and modelling will complete this research to evaluate biological effects of contaminants in beluga. Results generated from this project will help fill critical knowledge gaps on environmental contaminants and their potential effects in the SLE beluga population. The information will support the decision-making, management and conservation strategies of this unique beluga whale population. The multi-disciplinary and diversified expert team will be training the next generation of marine mammal and environmental toxicology specialists.