Contaminant monitoring studies using marine mammals and the need for establishment of an International Environmental Specimen Bank.

Many hazardous chemicals have polluted the environment of the earth. Among them, organochlorine compounds and heavy metals have dispersed worldwide. I reviewed the results of cooperative research based on specimens shared with colleagues at Ehime University, Japan: (1) bioaccumulation of organochlorine compounds (DDT, PCB, HHC, etc.) and heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, etc.) from sea water to marine mammals through the food chain, (2) placental transfer of contaminants, (3) transfer of contaminants through lactation, (4) biological impacts of contaminants to marine mammals, and (5) the global movement of contaminants. This work was based on about 1200 specimens of marine mammals obtained from scientific research over 17 years during 1976-1992. Soft tissues were banked at -20 degrees C at Ehime University while related materials and information were deposited in the National Science Museum, Tokyo. These and other materials should be preserved in good condition in an international specimen bank for future global environmental monitoring studies, the examination of hazardous chemicals which are currently unknown, the reexamination of the same samples in future using more advanced equipment by different scientists, and the reaction to unknown environmental questions, etc. The need for the establishment of an International Environmental Specimen Bank for marine mammals and other marine organisms are recommended.