Article: Ocean pollution map study shows far-reaching POP contamination whales.(Persistant organic pollutants )

Scientists in the US are close to finishing a pollution map of the oceans, created using results from biopsies of whale blubber.

'The ocean acts like a giant conveyor belt, carrying pollutants around the globe to the ocean-of-fat that consists of all the fat cells of ocean plants and animals,' said Roger Payne of the Ocean Alliance. Because these chemicals are very soluble in fat, and whales are top predators, 'most fish-eating whales are, by definition, swimming toxic dump sites', he added.

Persistant organic pollutants (POPs) are long-lived, stable molecules such as DDT, dioxins and fire retardants. Payne claims that the oceans have become so polluted ...

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