Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Marine Mammal Health
Abstract
Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Marine Mammal Health: Water Quality Analysis and Enhancing Diagnostic Capacity Marine mammal health is closely related to the health of the environments they inhabit. Exposure to different chemical and microbial contaminants can pose a significant health risk for these animals but the actual etiology of the disease and the association between the environment and the animal#s health can be difficult to identify and determine with current monitoring strategies. The goal of this new project is to integrate environmental data, marine mammal health data, and novel technology to better understand the effects of environmental conditions on marine mammal health in all three Marine Mammal Program (MMP) locations (NIWC Pacific Bayside in San Diego, CA; Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, GA; and Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, WA). Project objectives are to (1) retrospective analysis of historical environmental monitoring data, and marine mammal health data to identify potential risk factors to animal health; and (2) enhance the diagnostic capacity for infectious agents in marine mammals and their environment by integrating a rapid DNA sequencing technology. The MMP#s preventative medicine program includes an environmental monitoring program which incorporates routine water quality analysis. However, it is not known how different environmental variables affect animal health. Additionally, the current environmental monitoring program does not include tools to detect the presence of fungal or viral pathogens. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop a more comprehensive approach that (i) better characterizes the spatial and temporal dynamics of water quality parameters and correlating these to marine mammal#s health; and (ii) improve the ability to identify pathogens of concern for marine mammals in environmental sources. Improved knowledge about the effects of environmental conditions on animal health, and the successful development of tools to improve the identification of pathogens will lead to a better health risk assessment as well as effective mitigation and response strategies for infectious diseases. We will work directly with the MMP to address two highest priority research needs for the FY24-FY28 Investment Strategy for Clinical Research: (1) investigate environmental health at all 3 MMP locations and its effect on animal health; and (2) advance fungal disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This unique project is based on the expertise of a multidisciplinary team addressing the health of marine mammals and their environments using new technologies to better understand and prevent infectious diseases. This work will enhance the MMP water quality monitoring program and build upon the current diagnostic capabilities for the Navy#s marine mammals, helping to integrate environmental health and marine mammal health into a One Health approach. Moreover, the outcomes of this project can be translated to human medicine and help keep other warfighters healthy in the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 13, 2025
- Source ID
- N000142512121
Entities
People
- Tiong Gim Aw
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Tulane University of Louisiana
- United States Navy