The following has been published
on-line:
Ylitalo, G.M., R.W. Baird, G.K. Yanagida, D.L.
Webster, S.J. Chivers, J.L. Bolton, G.S. Schorr and D.J. McSweeney. 2009. High
levels of persistent organic pollutants measured in blubber of island-associated
false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) around the main Hawaiian Islands.
Marine Pollution Bulletin doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.08.029.
There is a no abstract but a brief summary is
below.
There is a small island-associated population of
false killer whales around the main Hawaiian Islands. There is evidence this
population may have declined substantially over the last 20 years. To assess the
potential that contaminants may be a risk factor for the population, biopsy
samples were obtained from nine individuals from the island-associated
population in 2008, and samples were analyzed for a variety of persistent
organic pollutants (POPs). Individuals were sexed genetically, and information
on body size and re-sighting history was used to assess age class
(adult/juvenile). The highest levels of POPs documented were PCBs and DDTs.
Adult females had lower concentrations than adult males or juveniles. Subadult
whales had the highest levels of PBDE flame retardants. Levels of PCBs in three
individuals were above the threshold where health effects may
occur.
Robin