Climate change induced deterioration og sea-ice and increased sensitivity to pollutants in polar bears from Svalbard

Polar bears are dependant on sea ice as hunting platform to catch their main prey, ringed seals. However, climate warming-induced deteriorating sea ice conditions may seriously impact hunting conditions and consequent food availability. This may affect body condition and sensitivity to accumulated contaminants.

During periods of negative energy balance, for example during lactation or when prey availability is low due to bad ice cover, lipids are mobilized to meet energy demands. However, also accumulated contaminants are released from the lipids and become bio-available.

This project will repeatedly sample the same bears over a 3-5 year period to measure contaminant dynamics and associated effects in relation to changing nutritional status and sea ice cover.

Prosjektleder: Hans Wolkers

Prosjektdeltakere: Jon Aars, Geir Wing Gabrielsen