Detection Of POP Levels In Several Mediterranean Species Of Cetaceans In The 2008-2010 Time Period.

Mediterranean cetaceans are known to accumulate very high levels of xenobiotic contaminants, such as organochlorines (OCs). In 1990-1992, many striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) were affected by a severe Morbillivirus infection epidemic along the Mediterranean coasts. In that period, the OC levels in blubber of stranded striped dolphin specimens resulted statistically higher than those found in specimens analysed before and after 1990-1992 years. Here we show that in blubber of stranded and in biopsies of free-ranging cetaceans sampled in the Mediterranean Sea between 2008 and 2010, the levels of some OCs (PCBs and DDTs) are very similar to the levels found in the 1991-1993 period, despite regulatory control on their production and use in Mediterranean area. In these specimens no evidence of Morbillivirus, but of other agents such as Toxoplasma gondii was found.