29 August 2024: New study on pollutants in marine mammals in Norway

A study by Andvik et al., titled “Intercorrelations of Chlorinated Paraffins, Dechloranes, and Legacy Persistent Organic Pollutants in 10 Species of Marine Mammals from Norway, in Light of Dietary Niche” was published in August 2024 in Environmental Science & Technology. The study aimed to assess pollutant levels in marine mammals in Norway. This research represents the first systematic sampling of stranded whales in Norway. With the help of the public, researchers collected samples from 46 whales across 10 different species. The team tested these samples for nearly 100 chemical pollutants. The results showed that sperm and killer whales were most at risk of pollution overall, while minke whales exhibited the highest levels of some newer chemicals, such as those found in plastics. All species showed elevated levels of unregulated chemicals that behave similarly to banned chemicals. Studies like these are crucial for understanding marine pollution and providing the basis for more effective regulations to protect marine ecosystems.

Read the whole study by Andvik et al. here: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c02625

Photo credit: Fernado Ugarte