Brenda Ballachey, Ph.D.
Population status and indices of population condition; population, physiological and ecological effects of oil exposure on marine mammals and coastal ecosystems; environmental toxicology, physiology and genetics of marine mammals.
Professional Experience
2016 - Present Research Physiologist Emeritus, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1990 - 2016 Research Physiologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1989 - 1990 Biologist, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska
1987 - 1989 Staff Officer, Board on Agriculture, National Research Council, Washington, D.C.
1986 - 1987 Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
1985 - 1985 Instructor, Department of Animal Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
1981 - 1985 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Animal Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
1977 - 1980 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Animal Science, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 1985 Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR Animal Breeding and Genetics
M.S. 1980 Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO Animal Sciences
B.S. 1974 Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO Animal Science
Affiliations and Memberships*
Society for Marine Mammalogy
The Wildlife Society
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 71
Comparison of cytochrome P450 1A induction in blood and liver cells of sea otters
Sea otters in oiled areas of western PWS had elevated levels of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), a biomarker of hydrocarbon exposure, measured in blood samples collected from otters in 1996- 98. In summer 2001, as part of project 01423, we have proposed to resample CYP1A in blood from sea otters in oiled and unoiled areas of PWS. Herein we describe a complementary effort to project 01423. We propose al
Authors
Brenda E. Ballachey, Paul W. Snyder, Tamara Kondratyuk
Sea otter studies in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
No abstract available.
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, Kimberly A. Kloecker, George G. Esslinger, Daniel H. Monson, H.A. Coletti, James A. Estes
Correlates to survival of juvenile sea otters in Prince William Sound, Alaska, 1992-1993
We estimated survival of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) for 1 year post weaning during 1992-1993 in Prince William Sound (PWS), location of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. We sampled 38 pups in eastern PWS (EPWS), an unoiled area occupied by sea otters for <15 years, and 33 pups from oiled western PWS (WPWS), occupied for >25 years. We compared survival between areas, sexes, and condition groups. We
Authors
Brenda E. Ballachey, James L. Bodkin, S. Howlin, A. M. Doroff, A.H. Rebar
Correlates to survival of juvenile sea otters in Prince William Sound, Alaska, 1992-1993
We estimated survival of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) for 1 year post weaning during 1992-1993 in Prince William Sound (PWS), location of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. We sampled 38 pups in eastern PWS (EPWS), an unoiled area occupied by sea otters for 25 years. We compared survival between areas, sexes, and condition groups. We also examined the relation of blood parameters to survival. Surviva
Authors
Brenda E. Ballachey, James L. Bodkin, S. Howlin, A. M. Doroff, A.H. Rebar
Patterns and processes of population change in selected nearshore vertebrate predators
Sea otters and harlequin ducks have not fully recovered from the oil spill. This project will explore links between oil exposure and the lack of population recovery, with the intent of understanding constraints to recovery of these species and the nearshore environment. In FY 02, sea otter work will include aerial surveys of distribution and abundance and estimates of age-specific survival rates.
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, T.A. Dean, Daniel Esler
Long-term ecosystem repsonse to the Exxon Valdez oil spill
The ecosystem response to the 1989 spill of oil from the Exxon Valdez into Prince William Sound, Alaska, shows that current practices for assessing ecological risks of oil in the oceans and, by extension, other toxic sources should be changed. Previously, it was assumed that impacts to populations derive almost exclusively from acute mortality. However, in the Alaskan coastal ecosystem, unexpected
Authors
C. H. Peterson, S.D. Rice, J.W. Short, Daniel Esler, James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, D.B. Irons
Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) perspective: Harlequin duck population recovery following the Exxon Valdez oil spill: Progress, process, and constraints
Following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, we studied the status of recovery of harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) populations during 1995-1998. We evaluated potential constraints to full recovery, including (1) exposure to residual oil, (2) food limitation, and (3) intrinsic demographic limitations on population growth rates. In this paper, we synthesize th
Authors
Daniel Esler, Timothy D. Bowman, Kimberly A. Trust, Brenda E. Ballachey, Thomas A. Dean, Stephen C. Jewett, Charles E. O'Clair
Marine predator surveys in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Since 1999, vessel based surveys to estimate species composition, distribution and relative abundance of marine birds and mammals have been conducted along coastal and pelagic (offshore) transects in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Surveys have been conducted during winter (November-March) and summer (June). This annual report presents the results of those surveys conducted in March and June of 2001. Followi
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Kimberly A. Kloecker, Heather A. Coletti, George G. Esslinger, Daniel H. Monson, Brenda E. Ballachey
Sea otter population status and the process of recovery from the 1989 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill
Sea otter Enhydra lutris populations were severely affected by the 1989 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill in western Prince William Sound, AK, and had not fully recovered by 2000. Here we present results of population surveys and incorporate findings from related studies to identify current population status and factors affecting recovery. Between 1993 and 2000, the number of sea otters in the spill-area o
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, T.A. Dean, Allan K. Fukuyama, S.C. Jewett, L. McDonald, Daniel H. Monson, Charles E. O'Clair, G.R. VanBlaricom
Harlequin duck population recovery following the 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill: Progress, process and constraints
Following the 1989 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, we studied the status of recovery of harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus populations during 1995 to 1998. We evaluated potential constraints on full recovery, including (1) exposure to residual oil; (2) food limitation; and (3) intrinsic demographic limitations on population growth rates. In this paper, we synthesize
Authors
Daniel Esler, Timothy D. Bowman, Kimberly A. Trust, Brenda E. Ballachey, Thomas A. Dean, Stephen C. Jewett, Charles E. O'Clair
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) perspective: Part A. Sea otter population status and the process of recovery from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) populations were severely affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in western Prince William Sound, AK, and had not fully recovered by 2000. Here we present results of population surveys and incorporate findings from related studies to identify current population status and factors affecting recovery. Between 1993 and 2000, the number of sea otters in the spill-area o
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, Thomas A. Dean, Allan K. Fukuyama, Stephen C. Jewett, Lyman L. McDonald, Daniel H. Monson, Charles E. O'Clair, Glenn R. VanBlaricom
Chemical anesthesia of Northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris): Results of past field studies
Between 1987 and 1997, we chemically immobilized 597 wild sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in Alaska for the collection of biological samples or for surgical instrumentation. One drug-related sea otter fatality occurred during this time. Fentanyl in combination with diazepam produced consistent, smooth inductions with minimal need for supplemental anesthetics during procedures lasting 30-40 min. Antago
Authors
Daniel H. Monson, C. McCormick, Brenda E. Ballachey
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 71
Comparison of cytochrome P450 1A induction in blood and liver cells of sea otters
Sea otters in oiled areas of western PWS had elevated levels of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), a biomarker of hydrocarbon exposure, measured in blood samples collected from otters in 1996- 98. In summer 2001, as part of project 01423, we have proposed to resample CYP1A in blood from sea otters in oiled and unoiled areas of PWS. Herein we describe a complementary effort to project 01423. We propose al
Authors
Brenda E. Ballachey, Paul W. Snyder, Tamara Kondratyuk
Sea otter studies in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
No abstract available.
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, Kimberly A. Kloecker, George G. Esslinger, Daniel H. Monson, H.A. Coletti, James A. Estes
Correlates to survival of juvenile sea otters in Prince William Sound, Alaska, 1992-1993
We estimated survival of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) for 1 year post weaning during 1992-1993 in Prince William Sound (PWS), location of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. We sampled 38 pups in eastern PWS (EPWS), an unoiled area occupied by sea otters for <15 years, and 33 pups from oiled western PWS (WPWS), occupied for >25 years. We compared survival between areas, sexes, and condition groups. We
Authors
Brenda E. Ballachey, James L. Bodkin, S. Howlin, A. M. Doroff, A.H. Rebar
Correlates to survival of juvenile sea otters in Prince William Sound, Alaska, 1992-1993
We estimated survival of sea otters (Enhydra lutris) for 1 year post weaning during 1992-1993 in Prince William Sound (PWS), location of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. We sampled 38 pups in eastern PWS (EPWS), an unoiled area occupied by sea otters for 25 years. We compared survival between areas, sexes, and condition groups. We also examined the relation of blood parameters to survival. Surviva
Authors
Brenda E. Ballachey, James L. Bodkin, S. Howlin, A. M. Doroff, A.H. Rebar
Patterns and processes of population change in selected nearshore vertebrate predators
Sea otters and harlequin ducks have not fully recovered from the oil spill. This project will explore links between oil exposure and the lack of population recovery, with the intent of understanding constraints to recovery of these species and the nearshore environment. In FY 02, sea otter work will include aerial surveys of distribution and abundance and estimates of age-specific survival rates.
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, T.A. Dean, Daniel Esler
Long-term ecosystem repsonse to the Exxon Valdez oil spill
The ecosystem response to the 1989 spill of oil from the Exxon Valdez into Prince William Sound, Alaska, shows that current practices for assessing ecological risks of oil in the oceans and, by extension, other toxic sources should be changed. Previously, it was assumed that impacts to populations derive almost exclusively from acute mortality. However, in the Alaskan coastal ecosystem, unexpected
Authors
C. H. Peterson, S.D. Rice, J.W. Short, Daniel Esler, James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, D.B. Irons
Harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) perspective: Harlequin duck population recovery following the Exxon Valdez oil spill: Progress, process, and constraints
Following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, we studied the status of recovery of harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) populations during 1995-1998. We evaluated potential constraints to full recovery, including (1) exposure to residual oil, (2) food limitation, and (3) intrinsic demographic limitations on population growth rates. In this paper, we synthesize th
Authors
Daniel Esler, Timothy D. Bowman, Kimberly A. Trust, Brenda E. Ballachey, Thomas A. Dean, Stephen C. Jewett, Charles E. O'Clair
Marine predator surveys in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Since 1999, vessel based surveys to estimate species composition, distribution and relative abundance of marine birds and mammals have been conducted along coastal and pelagic (offshore) transects in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Surveys have been conducted during winter (November-March) and summer (June). This annual report presents the results of those surveys conducted in March and June of 2001. Followi
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Kimberly A. Kloecker, Heather A. Coletti, George G. Esslinger, Daniel H. Monson, Brenda E. Ballachey
Sea otter population status and the process of recovery from the 1989 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill
Sea otter Enhydra lutris populations were severely affected by the 1989 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill in western Prince William Sound, AK, and had not fully recovered by 2000. Here we present results of population surveys and incorporate findings from related studies to identify current population status and factors affecting recovery. Between 1993 and 2000, the number of sea otters in the spill-area o
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, T.A. Dean, Allan K. Fukuyama, S.C. Jewett, L. McDonald, Daniel H. Monson, Charles E. O'Clair, G.R. VanBlaricom
Harlequin duck population recovery following the 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill: Progress, process and constraints
Following the 1989 'Exxon Valdez' oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, we studied the status of recovery of harlequin duck Histrionicus histrionicus populations during 1995 to 1998. We evaluated potential constraints on full recovery, including (1) exposure to residual oil; (2) food limitation; and (3) intrinsic demographic limitations on population growth rates. In this paper, we synthesize
Authors
Daniel Esler, Timothy D. Bowman, Kimberly A. Trust, Brenda E. Ballachey, Thomas A. Dean, Stephen C. Jewett, Charles E. O'Clair
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) perspective: Part A. Sea otter population status and the process of recovery from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris) populations were severely affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in western Prince William Sound, AK, and had not fully recovered by 2000. Here we present results of population surveys and incorporate findings from related studies to identify current population status and factors affecting recovery. Between 1993 and 2000, the number of sea otters in the spill-area o
Authors
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, Thomas A. Dean, Allan K. Fukuyama, Stephen C. Jewett, Lyman L. McDonald, Daniel H. Monson, Charles E. O'Clair, Glenn R. VanBlaricom
Chemical anesthesia of Northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris): Results of past field studies
Between 1987 and 1997, we chemically immobilized 597 wild sea otters (Enhydra lutris) in Alaska for the collection of biological samples or for surgical instrumentation. One drug-related sea otter fatality occurred during this time. Fentanyl in combination with diazepam produced consistent, smooth inductions with minimal need for supplemental anesthetics during procedures lasting 30-40 min. Antago
Authors
Daniel H. Monson, C. McCormick, Brenda E. Ballachey
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government