Dear MARMAM Subscribers,
My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the following open access publication in Scientific Reports

Eisenmann, P.; Fry, B.; Mazumder, D.; Jacobsen, G.; Holyoake, C.; Coughran, D.; Bengtson Nash, S. M. (2017) Radiocarbon as a tracer of migration in southern hemisphere humpback whales. Scientific Reports, 7, 4366


Abstract
   Bulk stable isotope analysis provides information regarding food web interactions, and has        been applied to several cetacean species for the study of migration ecology. One limitation in    bulk stable isotope analysis arises when a species, such as Southern hemisphere humpback    whales, utilises geographically distinct food webs with differing isotopic baselines. Migrations    to areas with different baselines can result in isotopic changes that mimic changes in feeding    relations, leading to ambiguous food web interpretations. Here, we demonstrate the novel          application of radiocarbon measurement for the resolution of such ambiguities. Radiocarbon      was measured in baleen plates from humpback whales stranded in Australia between 2007      and 2013, and in skin samples collected in Australia and Antarctica from stranded and free-
   ranging animals. Radiocarbon measurements showed lower values for Southern Ocean 
   feeding than for extra-Antarctic feeding in Australian waters. While the whales mostly relied      on Antarctic-derived energy stores during their annual migration, there was some evidence   
   of feeding within temperate zone waters in some individuals. This work, to our knowledge,    
   provides the first definitive biochemical evidence for supplementary feeding by southern     
   hemisphere humpback whales within temperate waters during migration. Further, the work 
   contributes a powerful new tool (radiocarbon) for tracing source regions and geographical 
   feeding.

If you have any questions, please email;
 

Kind regards,
 
Associate Professor Susan Bengtson Nash

Program Director

Southern Ocean Persistent Organic Pollutants Program (SOPOPP) 
Environmental Futures Research Institute (EFRI), Griffith University, Nathan Campus.
170 Kessels Road, Nathan QLD 4111 Australia.

Email: s.bengtsonnash@griffith.edu.au 
Phone: +61 (0)7 3735 5062  
Mobile: +61 (0)437 888 711  

Twitter: @Antarctica_POPs; Skype: s.bengtsonnash; Website: http://www.griffith.edu.au/environment-planning-architecture/southern-ocean-persistent-organic-pollutants-program