Legacy and emerging organic pollutants in liver and plasma of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) from waters surrounding the Faroe Islands

Very low levels of both OH- and/or MeSO2-PCB and PBDE metabolites were found in all age groups, with no significant (p > 0.05) differences between the groups, strongly suggesting a very low metabolic capacity for their formation in pilot whales. The lack of difference in the metabolite concentrations between the age groups also indicates less maternal transfer of these contaminant groups compared to the precursor compounds.