Toxic pollution building up in dolphins and whales

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Concentrations of toxic pollutants are building up in bottlenose dolphins living in coastal waters near urban areas.

Marine mammals living along urbanized coasts are most affected by PCBs and other industrial compounds

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The tissue and blood of dolphins and whales living in waters near urbanized areas are showing increased concentrations of toxic pollutants known to cause cancer and disrupt endocrine and immune systems as well as neural development.

One team of researchers with the Hollings Marine Laboratory, a government-university collaboration based in Charleston, S.C., studied levels of persistent organic pollutants in bottlenose dolphins living along the the U.S. East and Gulf of Mexico coasts and Bermuda. Another team looked at concentrations of perfluorinated compounds in beluga whales in Alaskan waters. (more…)

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PCBs suppressing immune systems of coastal dolphins

Posted on February 26, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Researchers tag a dolphin before releasing it back into the wild as part of a study on PCBs in the marine food web along the Georgia coast. PHOTO COURTESY OF NOAA.

Research suggests contaminants are moving along the coast and into the marine food web from a nearby Superfund site

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Pollutants from electrical equipment, hydraulic fluids, paper manufacturing, printing inks and other sources is turning up at record-high concentrations in bottlenose dolphins living along the coast of Georgia.

Researchers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported last week that they found the highest levels of PCBs ever reported in marine mammals when they studied dolphins in the area in August 2009. The research was conducted by NOAA’s Center for Oceans and Human Health at the Hollings Marine Lab.

The dolphins were captured, given a physical exam and then released. The results showed decreased levels of thyroid hormones, elevated liver enzymes and indications of suppressed immune function in the animals. Researchers will test human health risks in nearby coast towns.

(more…)

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