The Ever-Growing Threat

PCB Toxicity in Killer Whales

This infographic uncovers the danger of toxic chemical bioaccumulation and biomagnification in marine ecosystems, revealing how these human-made pollutants put killer whales—one of the ocean’s most iconic predators—at serious risk. As these chemicals move up the food chain, they accumulate in whale populations, threatening their survival and impacting the delicate balance of marine life.

Designed to inform and inspire curiosity, this visual piece is tailored for science enthusiasts, students, and educators who are eager to explore environmental issues. I aimed to spark interest and encourage viewers to dive deeper into the critical challenges facing killer whales and the future of our oceans.

Roles: Research, Content Writing, Drafting, Digital Rendering, Compositing

Audience: Science-interested highschool students and educators

Clients: Professor Jodie Jenkinson

Communication Objective: Educate the viewer on what PCBs are, how they threaten killer whales, and what biomagnification and bioaccumulation are.

Medium: Web, 3D Illustration

Presentation: Website, digital article

Software: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate

Initial Notes and Sketches

Moodboard

Final Infographic

A Rough Composition Draft

References

Andvik, C., Jourdain, E., Ruus, A., Lyche, J. L., Karoliussen, R., & Borgå, K. (2020). Preying on seals pushes killer whales from Norway above pollution effects thresholds. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68659-y

Conserving the southern resident killer whales. Visual.ly. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/animals/conserving-southern-resident-killer-whales

Desforges, J.-P., Hall, A., McConnell, B., Rosing-Asvid, A., Barber, J. L., Brownlow, A., De Guise, S., Eulaers, I., Jepson, P. D., Letcher, R. J., Levin, M., Ross, P. S., Samarra, F., Víkingson, G., Sonne, C., & Dietz, R. (2018). Predicting global killer whale population collapse from PCB pollution. Science, 361(6409), 1373–1376. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat1953

Fisheries, N. O. A. A. (2022, November 7). Killer whale. NOAA. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/killer-whale

Government of Canada, F. and O. C. (2022, August 26). Government of Canada. Bioaccumulation: A Case Study of British Columbia's Killer Whales | Pacific Region | Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/education/lessonplans-lecons/whale-epaulard-eng.html

Jepson, P. D., Deaville, R., Barber, J. L., Aguilar, À., Borrell, A., Murphy, S., Barry, J., Brownlow, A., Barnett, J., Berrow, S., Cunningham, A. A., Davison, N. J., ten Doeschate, M., Esteban, R., Ferreira, M., Foote, A. D., Genov, T., Giménez, J., Loveridge, J., … Law, R. J. (2016). PCB pollution continues to impact populations of orcas and other dolphins in European waters. Scientific Reports, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep18573

Resident and transient orcas. Resident and Transient Orcas | Port Townsend Marine Science Center. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://ptmsc.org/programs/investigate/citizen-science/completed-projects/orca-project/resident-and-transient-orcas

Ross, P. S., Ellis, G. M., Ikonomou, M. G., Barrett-Lennard, L. G., & Addison, R. F. (2000). High PCB concentrations in free-ranging Pacific Killer whales, Orcinus orca: Effects of age, sex and dietary preference. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 40(6), 504–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-326x(99)00233-7

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Southern Resident Killer Whales. EPA. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/salish-sea/southern-resident-killer-whales

Wilson, S. (2020, August 20). Tracking contaminants in killer whale habitats. Ocean Wise. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://ocean.org/blog/tracking-contaminants-in-killer-whales/

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