Accumulation of organochlorines in the fin whale Balaenoptera physalus and the finless porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides from the Ibaraki coast, Japan

Abstract

Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and HCHs were examined in the muscle of the fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus stranded at Kita Wharf of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The compounds were also examined in the muscle, liver, and blubber of the finless porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides bycaught off Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. The concentrations of POPs in muscle samples in finless porpoise were 2 to 10 times higher than those in fin whale. This might be the result of differences in prey resources. Percentage composition of chlordanes (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and DDTs were determined in muscle samples. These compounds appeared further degraded in fin whale than in finless porpoise. This result indicates that fin whale might have a higher degradation ability than finless porpoise.