Research Vessel Travels the World Measuring Ocean?s Toxins in Sperm Whales

Aboard the Odyssey are eight scientists and researchers, who are measuring the toxicity of the world?s seas by using tissue samples from sperm whales. Sperm whales are the most abundant of the giant whale species and are found in every sea and ocean in the world.

The U.S. based Ocean Alliance, sponsor of the multi-million dollar Odyssey voyage, said that they have completed four years of the five-year study and have taken tissue from 900 sperm whales. Genevieve Johnson, Ocean Alliance?s education director said, ?We are surprised by the levels of pesticides, like DDT, found in our preliminary analysis of sperm whale tissue. There are about 350,000 sperm whales around the world, and the pesticides found in their blubber could spell danger for the species.?

DDT has been banned due to its harmful effect on humans and animals. The low cost DDT is sold on the black market to developing countries because of its effectiveness as an insecticide.

The research team has also found high levels of PCBs, which are used by humans and released into the environment and make their way into the world?s oceans through rivers and rainfall.

?There are severe repercussions for humans as well,? said Johnson. ?The toxicants are found in the oceanic food chain which is highly consumed by humans.?

Toxic fish and oceanic plants have been found to contaminate land in some parts of the world. The studies reveal frightening information about the pollutants that have poisoned the waters of the world. The Odyssey has sailed from the Galapagos to the Chagos Islands, Papua New Guinea to Kiribati.

?Besides studying sperm whales,? Ms. Johnson, ?We are also providing talks to students in different countries to raise awareness about whales and ocean pollution.?

For those who would like to learn more about the Odyssey voyage, the crew has a website at: http://www.pbs.org/odyssey/.